Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Nov 22: Power Minister Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar’s plan to shift Goa’s electricity tariffs to dynamic pricing from December has been put on hold, officials confirmed. The proposal, which would have charged households higher rates during peak evening hours and lower rates during the day, drew immediate criticism from consumers and Opposition parties.

Dhavalikar later admitted that the scheme cannot proceed without smart meters that record real-time consumption. The government has awarded the contract to Digismart Networks Pvt Ltd to supply and install the meters.

Senior Goa Electricity Department (GED) officials said the rollout will begin with testing at GED substations and transmission points. “The smart meters will have to be monitored for performance before being installed for government sector consumers,” a senior official said. Households and private users will follow only after successful trials, with no timeline yet for full coverage.

The smart meter project, approved by the Pramod Sawant-led cabinet in March 2025, involves the installation of 7.5 lakh smart prepaid meters across the State, largely funded under the Centre’s Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), covering most of the Rs 467.4-crore cost. The meters are designed to record real-time usage, enable prepaid billing, and reduce distribution losses.

Dynamic pricing, common in advanced power markets, encourages efficient electricity use by charging more during peak hours and less during off-peak periods. GED officials emphasised that the ambitious plan will only proceed after ensuring the technology works reliably, highlighting both the promise and challenges of modernising Goa’s power sector.