India’s plan to induct prepaid energy meters in its power distribution value chain has moved a step further with nodal Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) out in the market with a procurement tender. EESL, it may be recalled, had invited expressions of interest last month from potential domestic and international suppliers for supplying 10 million prepaid meters. Though EESL officials were unavailable for comment, industry sources suggest that the EOI exercise received encouraging response.
EESL is seeking to procure 10 million prepaid smart meters, based on magnetic or smart card technology, to be deployed in Uttar Pradesh. The contract involves design, manufacture, onsite supply and maintenance support. EESL is seeking technical as well as financial bids. The last date of submission of bids is January 5, 2018, which is also the date on which the technical bids will be opened. The price bid opening date will be intimated later.
International suppliers can source 25 per cent of the initial requirement through imports but are subsequently expected to set up manufacturing facilities in Uttar Pradesh
This procurement drive is part of the national household electrification drive, Saubhagya. It may be mentioned that Uttar Pradesh is home to 1.46 crore non-electrified households, representing 36 per cent of the total 4.04 crore non-electrified households in India.
The prepaid meters being procured will be of single-phase type with a rating of 5-30 amps. Amongst the eligibility criteria cited by EESL is that the potential supplier should have supplied at least 50,000 prepaid meters during the past three years, including at least one single contract of over 25,000 meters.
It is also interesting to note that with respect to international suppliers, EESL has specified that the supplier will be allowed to import the first 25 per cent of the meters but will have to set up a manufacturing facility in the state of Uttar Pradesh for servicing the remaining contract.
It may be recalled that EESL recently finalized suppliers for 50 lakh smart meters with ITI submitting the winning quote of Rs.2,503 per unit. Around 80 per cent of these smart meters will be deployed in Uttar Pradesh.
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Featured photograph sourced from www.prepayment-meter.com shows an illustrative image of single-phase prepaid electricity meter.
