Mumbai, Sep 24: Domestic electricity consumers using smart meters will now be able to avail themselves of additional financial benefits through the Time of Day tariff system. The facility, which was previously available mainly to commercial consumers, is now being extended to domestic consumers using smart meters.
Under the TOD system offered through smart meters installed by Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited, BEST and Adani Electricity Mumbai Limited, domestic consumers using electricity between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. can receive a rebate ranging from 55 paise to 80 paise per unit, depending on the applicable tariff structure.
A smart meter is a modern digital meter that accurately records electricity consumption in real time. According to power distribution sector experts, smart meters provide transparent consumption information while enabling consumers to plan their electricity usage and potentially reduce their monthly electricity bills through the TOD system.
Consumers can make greater use of the concessional period between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. for high-consumption appliances such as washing machines, geysers, mixers, food processors, fryers, microwave ovens, RO systems, dishwashers, rice cookers and vacuum cleaners. Laptops and mobile phones can also be charged during this period. Electric vehicle charging can similarly be planned during these hours.
Smart Meters Available Free of Cost
Modern smart electricity meters are being installed free of cost when consumers obtain a new electricity connection or when an existing defective or non-functional meter is replaced. These meters are postpaid and not prepaid, meaning consumers will continue to receive monthly electricity bills as per the existing billing system.
The new meters also enable consumers to monitor their electricity consumption regularly through their mobile phones, helping them track usage and receive more accurate billing information.
Key features of the new smart meters include:
- Time of Day system for concessional electricity tariffs
- Net metering facility for eligible solar power projects
- Automated and accurate meter reading
- Minute-by-minute monitoring of electricity consumption through mobile applications
The smart meters being installed by BEST, AEML and MSEDCL are provided to consumers free of cost. Electricity tariffs are determined by the Electricity Regulatory Commission following the prescribed regulatory process and public hearings, and not by the distribution companies.
Greater Savings During Daytime
Domestic consumers using electricity between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. can currently receive a rebate of 55 paise to 80 paise per unit, subject to the applicable tariff. Since solar power generation is higher during daytime hours, shifting electricity consumption to this period can help consumers reduce their overall electricity costs.
From next year, the benefit is expected to increase, with the minimum rebate proposed to rise to 60 paise per unit and subsequently increase in stages to 70 paise per unit, as per the circular issued in this regard.
Commenting on the initiative, power regulation expert Uday Vaidya said,
“A benefit that was previously available mainly to commercial electricity consumers is now being extended to domestic consumers as well. By planning their electricity consumption during the concessional hours, households can make better use of available solar power and reduce their electricity bills.”
The initiative encourages consumers to align their electricity consumption with periods when renewable energy, particularly solar power, is available in greater quantities. Through proper planning and the use of smart–meter facilities, domestic consumers can potentially achieve direct financial savings while supporting more efficient utilisation of electricity.