EDF Successfully Installs 100,000 Smart Meters in India 

EDF has successfully installed 100,000 smart meters in India under its EESL contract, commercial roll-out of 5 million smart meters is next.

Global low-carbon electricity leader EDF has announced that it has successfully installed 100,000 smart meters in India under its contract with Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), an energy service company under the administration of the Ministry of Power. This is the first large-scale prepaid smart meter solution to be deployed in India.

The milestone marks the completion of the first stage of the contract and the beginning of the commercial roll-out of 5 million smart meters installation across India, nearly half of which will be installed in the state of Bihar. The contract was awarded to EDF (95 percent) in association with Accenture Solutions Private Limited (India) in 2019. It covers the design of an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), the proper installation of 5 million smart meters across India, integration of the smart meters with existing billing system of electricity distribution companies as well as operation and maintenance of the whole system for a period of six and half years.

The firm claims that this achievement will enable the integration of an increasing volume of renewable energy into the network, thus supporting India’s climate goals. This large-scale implementation will positively impact the Discoms’ (distribution companies) balance sheet and give customers better control of their energy budget by allowing them to actively monitor and control their electricity consumption.

EDF Group aims to be a part of India’s ambitious energy development program. In January 2021, the consortium led by EDF and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) was awarded the consulting mandate to plan India’s global electricity grid including a technical and financial proposal for the ‘One Sun One World One Grid’ (OSOWOG) project. OSOWOG is an electricity grid project that aims to transfer solar power produced in India across its borders and is an important part of India’s push for renewables.

Harmanjit Nagi, Director and Country Head, EDF India, said that India has always been a key market for the firms’ growth and presents immense potential in the smart meter space. He believes that smart meters will empower customers to gain a higher degree of control over their electricity consumption and would further enhance the resilience of the network. They will also improve the financial position of Discoms by helping them contribute to the balance between production and consumption and ultimately help the economy and environment move towards sustainability. 

“Our ongoing contract with EESL opens a new chapter in the development of the EDF business in India, a country that is key in our international strategy. By 2030, EDF Group aims to triple its global activity and double its renewable capacity,” he said.