No more metre readings: KSEB will install expensive prepaid metres

Thiruvananthapuram: As the Union Government orders the country’s electricity distribution to be prepaid, the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) may soon begin efforts to convert existing electricity metres to prepaid systems.

To avoid dues, the Union Government aims to achieve the goal by March 2025.

KSEB was wary of the changes because they were costly. However, the recent order makes it mandatory, according to chairman Dr B Ashok.

The areas that experience more than a 25% loss of electricity due to transmission, distribution, and billing must transition to the new system by December 2023. Government offices, industrial units, and establishments in other locations, up to the block level, must also relocate within the time frame.

Kerala’s loss is well within the 15% range.

The prepaid system is beneficial to KSEB as well. One metre, on the other hand, costs Rs 8,000.