Over 1.7 lakh smart meters installed in Kerala so far under RDSS, show govt. data

A little over 1.70 lakh smart meters have been installed in Kerala under the smart metering component of the Centrally-assisted Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), according to an update from the Union Power Ministry.

This includes 1.67 lakh consumer meters as well as 111 distribution transformer meters and 2,904 feeder meters of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), the State-run power utility which is the implementing agency in Kerala, according to the Ministry’s February 2 update which cited data till December 31, 2025.

The KSEB had started piloting the smart meter project in select electrical sections last year. In the first phase, the power utility is planning to have 3 lakh meters installed.

State Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty had presented a slightly updated figure in the State Assembly last week. According to him, in the first phase, which is currently in progress, the KSEB had installed 1,71,285 meters as of January 20. This phase, expected to be completed by August 31 this year, covers system meters (transformer, feeder, and border meters) of the KSEB, government consumers and meters of high-tension (HT) electricity consumers.

Under the RDSS scheme, Kerala was given approval for installing 1.33 crore smart meters across multiple phases.

Meanwhile, the KSEB has kicked off the process for tendering the second phase of the smart metering project in the State under the alternative proposal approved by the State government. In this phase, close to 50 lakh meters will be installed for consumers. This will include 15 lakh new connections as well 35 lakh replacements of existing meters, according to the Power department. The second phase will cover electricity consumers with monthly consumption in excess of 150 units, monthly-billed consumers, and those consumers who wish to install smart meters. The KSEB is aiming to complete the second phase by May 2028.

The Union government had launched RDSS in July 2021 for improving the operational efficiency and financial sustainability of power distribution utilities in States and Union Territories. Smart metering is a major component under it. Although the Centre had stipulated a total expenditure (TOTEX) model for implementation, this plan was dropped in Kerala following opposition from power sector unions. Subsequently, the KSEB had prepared an alternative capital expenditure (CAPEX) model, deemed more financially viable, which was approved by the State government in August 2023.