ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari on said that due to consistent efforts and timely actions by the Power Division to promote transparency and competition, the prices of smart meters for power distribution companies (DISCOs) have been reduced by up to 40 percent, resulting in estimated annual savings of Rs150 billion at the national level.
The minister made these remarks after a comprehensive report regarding smart meters was presented, said a press release.
He stated that the adoption of transparent and internationally competitive procurement processes has reduced the price of a three-phase smart meter from around Rs. 45,000 to less than Rs. 25,000, bringing it close to the price of a conventional three-phase meter. Similarly, the price of a single-phase smart meter has been reduced by Rs. 7,000. These prices are exclusive of applicable taxes.
The minister said that improved planning by the Power Division and positive changes in the Pakistan Engineering Council’s regulations encouraged strong participation by international companies. Barriers to entry were removed, and bulk procurement of smart meters by all power distribution companies led to lower prices due to reduced costs of raw materials and supplies.
The minister added that continuous monitoring, the introduction of clear and competitive standards for smart meters also helped bring prices down.
According to the Federal Minister, the estimated annual savings of Rs. 150 billion are based on the replacement of defective and outdated meters by power distribution companies. In addition, the installation of new meters will provide further financial relief to electricity consumers. This benefit will be reflected in lower costs shown in demand notices for new connections.
He added that lower smart meter prices will speed up digitalization in the power sector and further improve the performance of the national grid.
The minister further said that smart meters will help eliminate incorrect readings, allow quick detection of electricity theft, enable prepaid billing, provide consumers with direct access to usage data, support faster power restoration without the need for a lineman, and offer several other benefits.
New gas schedule for winter in Punjab and KP
In a separate development, a new schedule was issued by Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) for gas consumers in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the winter months from December to February.
Gas will now be supplied intermittently in three daily time slots: from 5:30am to 8:30am, from 11:30am to 1:30pm, and from 5:30pm to 8:30pm.
SNGPL also warned that gas is expensive and urged consumers to use it according to their needs.
Gas load-shedding has become a major political and social concern in recent years, with household supply repeatedly highlighted as a key issue.
Gas is supplied through pipelines to households, which receive 50 per cent of available supplies, followed by the fertiliser sector, independent power plants, and the industrial and CNG sectors.
On Friday, lawmakers raised concerns over unannounced electricity and gas load-shedding across the country as procedural disputes and protests delayed the proceedings of the upper house. The Senate session was convened under the chairmanship of Shahadat Awan.
Senator Manzoor Kakar slammed the government over persistent power and gas outages, asserting that while sufficient electricity and gas supplies were available, the government still failed to deliver relief to the masses.
He blamed the crisis on rampant electricity theft, lamenting that the cost of these losses was being passed onto the public. “Gas comes from Balochistan, yet the people of the province do not receive it. Travelling from Balochistan to Karachi or Islamabad costs Rs70-80 thousand in fares, which ordinary people cannot afford.”
Also read: Everything You Need to Know About Your Sui Gas Bill
