Five state-owned power distribution companies are planning to install 13.4 million prepaid meters over the next five years, replacing most of the existing conventional meters.
At present, 91,885 of the country’s total 17.5 million power consumers already have prepaid meters.
“Prepaid metering system can reduce accounts’ receivable and non-technical losses; so we will install 1.34 core prepaid meters within the next five years. Prepaid meters will ensure smooth supply of power across the country,” said Mohammad Hossain, director general of the Power Cell wing of Power Division.
“Electricity is a vital element required for economic growth, poverty reduction and social development. Power Division has developed a unified system software and prepared standard tender document for all electricity distribution utilities,” he told a workshop at the Bidyut Bhaban yesterday.
All utility companies are floating tenders in accordance with the unified system software and the standard tender document, he added.
Speaking there, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said the ministry plans to generate 24,000MW of electricity and is currently working to increasing power production capacity by 12,000MW.
He said the government plans to install prepaid meters along with online payment facilities.
The state minister said the government would urge the private sector to come forward in the prepaid metering system with approval from the authority concerned.
Brig Gen Moin Uddin, chairman of Rural Electrification Board, said prepaid meters would be secured and hassle-free for both consumers and distributors. It would be effective for load management for the distributors and would have a positive impact on system loss reduction.
The prepaid meters would also minimise overloading problems and help reduce the billing staffs or related expenditures. It will also resist bill misappropriations.
The workshop, organised by Power Cell with support of Asian Development Bank, was also addressed by Power Division Secretary Monowar Islam and Country Director of Bangladesh Resident Mission of ADB, Kazuhiko Higuchi.
