The Haryana government is set to launch a large-scale smart metering initiative from August 31 as part of efforts to improve power efficiency, reduce distribution losses, and modernise the state's electricity network.

The program is expected to target the gradual adoption of smart and prepaid electricity meters in various customer segments. The move is expected to enable power firms to have an accurate measure of electricity use and enhance their billing systems.

The reason is that at present there is an increase in electricity demand in Haryana. There will be more reliability and efficiency and smart meters is expected to improve the reliability and efficiency of electricity distribution and helps customers keep track of their electricity consumption.

This is in the context of overall reforms in the power sector which the state is implementing. The Power Minister for the union of India, Manohar Lal, has inspected the process of installation of pre-paid meters and stressed on reducing transmission and distribution losses besides increasing collection efficiency. Pre-paid metering system in Haryana State has been ordered to be installed in stages starting from the buildings of the government departments.

State Energy Minister Anil Vij has also indicated that all new electricity consumers in Haryana will be provided smart meters going forward.

The power requirements of the state are likely to increase in the coming years. Though the power requirement of Haryana through its contracted capacity for this year is enough for meeting the forecasted maximum demand, the authorities have already made future plans keeping in mind that there would be an increase in power consumption in the coming days.

Smart meters are increasingly being adopted across India as part of efforts to digitise electricity distribution, provide consumers with better control over energy usage, and reduce technical and commercial losses in the power sector. In Haryana, utilities have already begun encouraging consumers to shift to prepaid smart metering through awareness campaigns and incentive programmes.