Polaris Smart Metering has been awarded two contracts valued at over Rs.5,200 crore for smart prepaid metering in Uttar Pradesh.
In a release, Polaris said that Madhyanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd (MVVNL) has awarded the contracts to Polaris for installing over 5.1 million smart meters in the important clusters of Lucknow and Ayodhya/Devipatan, which the company plans to install over the next 27 months.
As per the agreement, Polaris Smart Metering will supply, commission, install and maintain smart meters for consumers and system metering across the consumer base in these important clusters for the next10 years. These smart meters will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology, enabling prepaid billing, real-time energy monitoring, accurate metering, and improved grid management capabilities. This contract comes under a Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Own-Transfer (DBFOOT) agreement.
In addition to Uttar Pradesh, Polaris has also received letters of award from West Bengal and Manipur, totaling over Rs.2,400 crore, and is set to install more than 2.3 million smart meters across these two states.
Mitigating losses
The primary objective of this project is to reduce losses for discoms and to empower consumers by introducing smart prepaid meters, enabling them to have better control over their energy consumption. Through the implementation of these smart meters, consumers will have real-time access to their energy usage data, allowing them to monitor and manage their consumption patterns effectively. This will result in a more informed decision-making process for consumers, fostering a culture of energy conservation and responsible electricity usage.
Additionally, consumers will have the flexibility to recharge their meter as per their convenience, avoiding the inconvenience of monthly visits from meter readers or the hassle of bill payment. This will not only enhance customer satisfaction but also streamline the overall billing process.
Empowering customers
“We are incredibly proud to have been entrusted with these transformative projects,” said Yashraj Khaitan, CEO, Polaris Smart Metering.”Our smart metering solutions will empower consumers with actionable insights into their energy consumption, while simultaneously delivering substantial benefits to the state governments in terms of improved grid efficiency, reduced pilferage, and improved environmental sustainability. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to MVVNL for recognizing the potential of innovative technology in shaping the future of grid management. The win in Uttar Pradesh and the LOAs in West Bengal and Manipur underscore Polaris’s commitment towards digitizing and transforming India’s electricity grid and marks a significant stride towards a smarter and more sustainable energy future for our country.”
Internationally-patented algorithms
To tackle power theft, Polaris has internationally patented algorithms to enable discoms to detect and address power theft effectively. In addition, Polaris’s technology will also enable discoms to implement advanced demand-response policies for maximum integration of renewable energy sources in their power purchase portfolios. In addition to this, Polaris ensures a high level of cyber security by encrypting its entire communication stack, and employing multiple layers of encryption for data privacy. This includes identity and access management, authorization, and a user privilege system.
Track record
Prior to this, Polaris has won multiple smart metering contracts, including contracts in Ladakh and Bihar for installing over 1,00,000 smart meters for a value of more than Rs 118 crore cumulatively. Polaris is involved in manufacturing, supply, installation, integration, testing and commissioning of AMI projects in India, which will herald a transformation in the energy landscape benefiting consumers, the environment, and the overall sustainability of the country.
Source of featured photograph: Polaris Smart Metering
