Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari has said the prices of smart meters for power distribution companies (DISCOs) have dropped by up to 40 percent due to sustained efforts by the Power Division to ensure transparency.
He said the reduction is expected to generate estimated annual savings of Rs150 billion at the national level.
The minister made the remarks after reviewing a detailed report on smart meters, according to an official press release.
He explained that transparent and internationally competitive procurement processes have brought down the cost of a three-phase smart meter from about Rs45,000 to below Rs25,000, making it nearly comparable to a conventional three-phase meter. Likewise, the price of a single-phase smart meter has fallen by around Rs7,000, excluding applicable taxes.
Leghari said better planning by the Power Division, along with reforms in Pakistan Engineering Council regulations, encouraged strong participation from international firms.
The removal of entry barriers and bulk procurement by DISCOs helped lower prices through reduced raw material and supply costs.
He added that continuous monitoring and the introduction of clear, competitive standards also contributed to the decline.
