Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Electricity Department will roll out smart prepaid electricity meters across Goa starting December 2025, with installation to begin for commercial consumers in the first phase. The initiative, implemented by Digismart Networks Pvt Ltd, Jaipur, will eventually cover 6.8 lakh domestic and commercial connections in a phased manner.
Officials said the move marks a major step toward digitising Goa’s power distribution system and improving billing accuracy. Unlike traditional meters that require manual readings, smart meters automatically record electricity consumption and transmit data wirelessly to the utility’s central servers.
Equipped with electronic sensors and microprocessors, these meters continuously track the flow of current and voltage, calculating consumption in real time. Data will be transmitted securely using existing mobile networks (2G, 3G, or 4G) or through power line communication, creating a network between meters and data collectors.
“The system enables automatic, real-time updates to the department’s data centre for accurate billing and grid management,” a department official explained.
Officials assured that smart meters will benefit consumers by eliminating estimated bills and ensuring that payment is made only for actual energy used. Consumers will also be able to monitor their real-time power usage and costs, helping them identify energy-intensive appliances and reduce overall consumption for better energy efficiency.
Additionally, the meters will automatically alert the department to outages, helping restore power faster. In the case of prepaid connections, consumers who fail to recharge will receive multiple SMS and email reminders. Importantly, power disconnection will not occur at night, on Sundays, or on public holidays, the official clarified.
