Dhaka: As part of the government’s campaign to reduce non-technical system losses and ensure full advance revenue collection, the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has installed 3,298,103 smart prepaid electricity meters in its distribution areas. ‘The state-run BPDB has targeted bringing all consumers under the smart prepaid metering system,’ Director (Public Relations) of BPDB Shameem Hassan told BSS.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the BPDB has around 42 lakh consumers across the country, of whom over 32.98 lakh smart prepaid meters have already been installed. Hassan mentioned that misuse and excessive system losses of electricity have been significantly reduced, and revenue earnings have increased following the introduction of the automated system.
BPDB operates three different prepayment metering systems: the Unified Prepayment Metering System, the STS Prepaid System, and the Smart Metering System. The smart prepaid meters have been contributing effectively to the economical use of electricity and gas. The ministry claims that the prepayment metering system can reduce non-technical losses to zero percent.
The installation of prepaid meters benefits consumers by providing an easy and transparent system. Consumers can control their electricity consumption and manage their budget through the metering system. The smart prepaid metering system eliminates hassles related to bill payment, disconnection, or reconnection, as it requires no minimum charge, no deposit, and results in no disputed bills.
A smart prepaid meter user receives a 2 percent discount on the standard electricity billing rate. The system also provides warnings for low or negative credit during off-peak hours and holidays. Additionally, the smart prepaid metering system allows users to obtain emergency credit and helps prevent abnormal voltage fluctuations. It also maintains automated records.
The ministry aims to reduce electricity system losses at the consumer level, which occur partly due to technical issues at power plants and in transmission and distribution lines. There is another 5-7% loss due to non-technical reasons at the customer level, such as tampering with the meter and illegal connections. The Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) designed and developed the prepaid meter for electricity use.