Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Sep 23: Even as the Goa government has put on hold its ambitious plan to replace conventional electricity meters with smart meters across the State, reports of fresh installations in some areas have sparked confusion among consumers.

The government had suspended the statewide rollout following widespread public opposition to the proposed transition, which would affect around seven lakh electricity consumers. Nearly one lakh smart meters had already been installed before growing resistance from consumers triggered a political and public backlash.

However, reports of smart meters being installed in certain localities have raised questions over whether the project is quietly being resumed despite the government's decision to keep it on hold.

Electricity Department officials have clarified that the smart meter project remains suspended and that no mass replacement drive is currently underway.

According to officials, smart meters are being installed only in specific circumstances. One such category covers domestic consumers who have rooftop solar power systems. Smart meters are required in such cases to facilitate energy accounting and net-metering operations.

The second category involves consumers whose existing conventional meters are faulty or non-functional. Officials said such damaged meters are being replaced with smart meters.

A senior Electricity Department engineer said these installations should not be interpreted as a resumption of the statewide smart meter rollout.

The clarification comes amid growing confusion among consumers, some of whom have reported Electricity Department personnel replacing conventional meters with smart meters in their localities.

The smart meter issue had earlier triggered significant public concern, with opposition parties and citizen groups questioning the benefits of the system and expressing apprehensions over the possibility of higher electricity bills.

The department's latest clarification indicates that the installations currently being carried out are limited to specific consumer categories and do not represent a restart of the broader smart meter replacement programme.