Inline with the Ministry of Power’s decision that all electricity meters in India will become smart prepaid meters, the department of Power in Nagaland has stepped up efforts to install 10,000 prepaid meters each in Dimapur and Kohima.
An official of the power department revealed to the Eastern Mirror that coupons will be available at recharge centres. The coupon must then be swiped in the machine in order to avail power. This is part of the “the centre’s target for 100% prepaid policy in the country.”
He further explained that a ‘grace period’ of 12 to 24 hours will be extended for recharge if validity expires. The power will automatically disconnect once it expires. Trials for the prepaid meter are being conducted in Marwari Patti. He assured that the tests have been successful so far.
The government of India has mandated the use of smart prepaid electricity meters in the country beginning April 2019, as it looks to complete the transition over the next three years.
Smart meters are a part of the overall advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) aimed at better demand response designed to reduce energy consumption during peak hours.