Kochi: Seeing that the state’s additional debt would be exposed, the government has issued a strict directive to the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) to expedite the installation of smart meters.

In the first phase, the Electricity Board has initiated the process of installing smart meters in 1.88 lakh government establishments by November. 

The contract has been awarded to Kolkata-based Iskrameco, which will pre-load the meters with a communication module and supply them to the board along with 4G SIM cards starting next month. The installation of these meters will be carried out by board employees.

The current borrowing limit for states is outlined in the Union Budget for 2025–26. It includes a provision allowing borrowing up to half a per cent more than the previous year. As a follow-up, the Centre released new draft guidelines for additional borrowing for the financial years from 2025–26 to 2029–30. A key condition is the mandatory installation of prepaid smart meters in government institutions.

The Centre had initially proposed a total tax model, where the contractor would bear the full cost of installation and recover it through meter rent. However, after opposition from the board, the state government opted for a system where the board would bear the entire cost.

Though the original plan was to begin installation in May, it was delayed. Of the Rs1.40 crore electricity consumers in the state, 1.88 lakh are government institutions.

Iskrameco will deliver single-phase meters to Kerala in batches of 50,000 each in August, September, and October. Three-phase and low-tension meters are scheduled for delivery in September.

Each section is estimated to require between 40 and 100 smart meters. As these smart meters with communication modules are costly, they will be installed in weatherproof SMC base polycarbonate boxes, which will also be provided to section offices.

The KSEB’s 'Workforce Management' mobile application will be used for the installation process. Training sessions and a demonstration video on how to use the app will be provided to employees early next month.