Panaji, Aug 4 – The installation of over 750,000 pre-paid smart electricity meters across Goa is set to commence in December 2025, as announced in the state legislative assembly on Monday.

Power Minister Ramkrishna Dhavalikar revealed that this initiative is part of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) introduced by the Union Ministry of Power in 2021. In response to a query from Revolutionary Goans party MLA Viresh Borkar, Dhavalikar confirmed that the smart meters, featuring Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), aim to enhance operational efficiency, curb energy theft, and facilitate Time-of-Day (ToD) tariff options, along with the integration of renewable energy sources.

The minister noted that a total of 750,356 smart/prepaid meters have been sanctioned for Goa, with the supply and installation contract awarded to M/s DigiSmart Network Pvt Ltd, based in Jaipur. The rollout will occur in phases, targeting domestic, commercial, industrial, and government consumers.

Dhavalikar also mentioned that the initial deadline of March 2025 has been extended to March 31, 2028, due to delays, including a shortage of bidders for a previous tender valued at Rs 467 crore. He emphasized that the smart meter project is part of a larger strategy to modernize power infrastructure in Goa, which includes the establishment of a new 220kV GIS substation at Saligao equipped with SCADA control and the digital transformation of the 220kV Ponda substation, marking it as Goa’s first digital substation.