Advanced Metering Infrastructure meters help Iesco curb power theft, line losses
The main building of the control room where all AMI meters are connected and Iesco monitors feeders and transformers. The rollout of a digital electricity metering system has helped the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) mitigate problems related to its distribution network, commercial and billing systems and electricity theft, while enabling consumers to get faster solutions to their…
The installation of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters across Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) has significantly curbed power theft and line losses in Rawalpindi City Circle, Rawalpindi Cantonment Circle, and Taxila Division. As of now, more than 1.2 million AMI meters have been installed, covering domestic, commercial, and industrial consumers. The system provides real-time monitoring, enabling Iesco to detect tampering, technical faults, and line losses promptly.
The project, funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) with $160 million, began in 2016 and is now 82% complete, with 1.2 million smart meters installed through mass rollout activities. The system's Head End System (HES) is fully functional, while the billing system integration and development are largely completed. Iesco officials can monitor electricity fluctuations and resolve issues immediately, and consumers can view their hourly electricity consumption.
The system also allows consumers to anticipate their electricity bills and automatically report power supply interruptions to the company. Line losses in the Iesco region have dropped to 7.6 paise per unit, the lowest in the country, attributed to the AMI metering system. Iesco plans to expand the system further to other areas, converting both industrial units and domestic and commercial consumers to the AMI meter system.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
