In Uttar Pradesh, the Madhyanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (MVVNL) has issued a tender to set up bi-directional smart meters. The bi-directional smart meters will be set up for each state-owned power distribution company (DISCOM) in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The bid-submission deadline is February 13, 2019.

The entire tender will benefit 4.5 million consumers across all DISCOMs, namely: MVVNL, Dakshinanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (DVVNL), Purvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited and Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited. According to MVVNL, a single bidder can bid for more than one DISCOM and in case a single bidder bids for more than one, they will have to indicate their preference.

The scope of work includes the supply, installation, commissioning, implementation, and operation and maintenance of the bi-directional smart metering solutions. The meters will be installed on build own operate transfer (BOOT) basis and the successful bidders will provide eight years of operation and maintenance services.

Operation and maintenance service contract can be extended by another two years upon mutual agreement.

Uttar Pradesh’s power sector has one of the highest aggregate transmission and commercial (AT&C) loss percentages. The state has turned to net-metering to get rid of the scourge of power theft. In November 2018,  Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) approved a petition filed by Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd. (UPPCL) regarding the rollout of smart meters in the state.

Recently, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) successfully completed the pilot phase of its satellite-based smart meter project in a village in Varanasi in which 5,000 households received smart meters.

Other states are also turning to smart meters to tackle power theft and to increase their revenue. The Energy Efficiency Service Limited (EESL), a joint venture of the public-sector units of the Ministry of Power and the Government of India, has joined states with many states in the country to facilitate their transition to energy efficient devices.