Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) has released a research report emphasizing the urgent need for power sector reforms and the effective implementation of smart meters across the country.
According to the report, household consumers using smart meters can reduce their electricity bills by up to 17%. The study was conducted on Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, and Sukkur electricity consumers.
The report reveals that 79% of participants expressed willingness to adopt smart meters. Additionally, many consumers are ready to bear the initial cost of smart meters, recognizing their long-term financial benefits.
PIDE also highlighted that adopting smart metering systems could significantly improve revenue collection for power distribution companies (DISCOs).
The report describes Pakistan’s electricity sector as being at a critical crossroads, urging the government to modernize the billing and metering system. Currently, Pakistan has relied on a manual billing system for over two decades, leading to financial losses, billing errors, and transmission issues.
PIDE has stressed that Pakistan’s power sector is facing growing challenges, including financial losses, outdated infrastructure, and electricity theft. Power distribution companies are struggling with revenue collection, while consumers face billing discrepancies and a lack of transparency.
The report recommends the implementation of Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) to ensure transparent and data-driven electricity management. The smart metering system, if implemented, would enhance efficiency, accuracy, and financial stability in the power sector.
