Bhubaneswar, January 3: The Odisha government has approved a Rs 735 crore fund for the installation of smart electricity meters across the state in the financial year 2025-26.
The decision, announced, will cover both the replacement of existing non-smart meters and the installation of new connections for consumers with a contract demand (CD) of up to 2 kW.
The Energy Department will own the smart meters, while the respective DISCOMs, including Tata Power's TPCODL, TPNODL, TPSODL, and TPWODL, will operate and maintain them.
The government’s funding will be passed as deferred equity towards a 49% matching contribution through GRIDCO.
Around 8.75 lakh existing non-smart meters will be replaced at an estimated cost of Rs 340 crore, while Rs 88 crore is allocated for approximately 2.78 lakh new connections. A total of Rs 428 crore will be spent on installations, and Rs 307 crore will cover unrecovered costs for already installed smart meters.
From April 1, 2025, consumers with up to 2 kW CD will no longer need to pay meter rent, as per the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission's tariff order.
