The federal government will launch two separate projects for advanced metering infrastructure, new customer information and billing system for all companies in Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) and Islamabad Electricity Supply Company (Iesco) at an estimated cost of Rs 49.2 billion.
According to documents available with Business Recorder, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide Rs 21.8 billion loan for the two projects. The title of one project is "Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project in second and fifth circles and "New Customer Information and Billing System" for the entire company in Lesco" at estimated cost Rs 30.6 billion included 78.1 percent financing of the ADB and 21.9 percent of government through Lesco.
The title of other project is "Advance Metering Infrastructure Project in Rawalpindi circle and "New Customer Information and Billing System" for entire company in Iesco at estimated cost Rs 18.6 billion included 75.6 % financing of ADB (OCR), 2.2 percent of ADB (ADF) and Rs 22.1 percent of the government through Iesco. The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has recommended both projects to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final approval. The projects would be completed within 36 months.
According to documents, the projects envisage enhancing load control and load management up to the interface of the electricity distribution system operated by the distribution companies (DISCOs). The new system of advance metering infrastructure will have the main elements included (i) smart meters, their corresponding, (ii) in house display units, remote connect and disconnect function, (iii) communications, based on power-line communication (PLC), GPRS, fiber optics and data connection unit, (iv) head and system software for liaison between meter and management information system, (v) meter data management system (MDMS) software to undertake all analysis of data retrieved from meter and for necessary recommendation of response action, (vi) interfaces between MDMS and other company system and database to store the information, (vii) time synchronisation system and firewalls for data security and (viii) billing and customer information system (CIS).
The CDWP has taken some decisions after discussing both the projects and referring to the ECNEC. It decided that realistic energy loss reduction figures would be taken as indicated on the PLC vs GPRS. This would be decided in the light of a PTA expert report and the workings of the LESCO and 1ESCO teams. It was also decided that CAPEX is to be rationalised and revenue streams strengthened by enhancing the project coverage currently limited to 30 percent by adding appropriate cost effective technology features and results of modified PC-Is be prepared by the sponsors LESCO and IESCO team. The CDWP also decided that realistic energy loss reduction figures would be taken as indicated in the ADB consultant's feasibility study.
During the meeting several options were discussed - addition of retrofitting solutions in some locations where feasible and covering the uncovered areas by hand held computerised-camera meter reading devices. In second phase, the hand held meter's reading may be replaced.