Bhubaneswar: In a major push towards 100 per cent smart metering and consumer-friendly power reforms, the Odisha government has approved the ‘MMSBY – Installation of Smart Meters Phase-I’ scheme for the financial year 2025–26. The decision was taken by the State Cabinet on Wednesday.
The scheme aims to enable low-end electricity consumers with contracted demand (CD) up to and including 2 kW to avail the benefits of smart meters without paying any meter rent and without any impact on the retail supply tariff. The initiative is expected to accelerate the rollout of smart meters across the State.
The scheme will be implemented by all four power distribution companies (DISCOMs) operating in Odisha—TP Central Odisha Distribution Limited (TPCODL), TP Western Odisha Distribution Limited (TPWODL), TP Southern Odisha Distribution Limited (TPSODL), and TP Northern Odisha Distribution Limited (TPNODL)—within their respective licensed areas.
Notably, the meter rent for consumers with smart meters and CD up to 2 kW has already been abolished with effect from April 1, 2025, as per the Retail Supply Tariff Order issued by the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) on March 24, 2025.
In compliance with the tariff order, the DISCOMs have proposed the installation of 11.53 lakh smart meters during FY 2025–26 under the MMSBY scheme. This includes the replacement of non-smart meters for around 8.75 lakh existing consumers and the installation of smart meters for an estimated 2.78 lakh new connections in the eligible consumer category.
The Cabinet’s approval clears the way for the large-scale rollout of smart meters, which is expected to improve billing efficiency, enhance transparency, reduce losses, and empower consumers with better energy usage information.
