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SEPC Secures Rs3.14 Billion Smart Meter Contract in Punjab
Feb 11, 2026
Solar engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) company SEPC has been issued a letter of intent by Telecommunications Consultants India for a smart prepaid metering project in Punjab valued at approximately Rs3.14 billion (~$34.66 million).
The project will be executed for Punjab State Power Corporation in the state’s central zone in collaboration with Adya Smart Metering. It will be implemented under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) following a design, build, finance, own, operate, and transfer (DBFOOT) framework.
Scope of Work
SEPC’s responsibilities will cover the complete rollout of the advanced metering infrastructure, including system design, installation, integration, commissioning, and long-term operations and maintenance.
Smart Meter Rollout: National Status
According to data from the Ministry of Power, as of November 15, 2025:
- 47.6 million smart meters had been installed nationwide under various initiatives.
- 203.3 million smart meters had received approval under RDSS based on state proposals.
Punjab alone accounted for more than 1.8 million smart meter installations during this period.
The states leading in installations are:
- Bihar – 8,237,246 meters
- Maharashtra – 7,398,415 meters
- Uttar Pradesh – 6,506,420 meters
The central government has set a target of installing 250 million smart electricity meters by the end of FY 2025–26. However, progress has been slower than expected. Earlier in 2025, the National Smart Grid Mission flagged delays in rollout. Additionally, a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy noted in December 2024 that achieving the 250 million target within the stipulated timeline would be challenging given the current pace.
Impact and Policy Developments
Government assessments suggest that smart metering has yielded measurable benefits in certain states. In Assam, for instance, around 44% of consumers reportedly reduced their monthly consumption by about 50 units, aided by improved monitoring and accurate billing. Bihar has also seen positive operational outcomes.
To strengthen implementation, the Ministry of Power formed a steering committee and a sub-working group of experts in September 2024. The initiative aims to standardize training modules, develop operating procedures for data usage, promote standards-based deployment, and establish cybersecurity guidelines for smart meter data analytics across distribution companies (DISCOMs).
The Punjab contract marks another step in accelerating India’s smart metering push under RDSS, aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and financial sustainability in the power distribution sector.