ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari detailed advancements in the installation of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters, noting that 25 percent of Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) consumers are now equipped with the technology, amounting to approximately 1.1 to 1.2 million installations. The minister emphasized this development as a significant step towards modernizing the power sector.

According to Ministry of Energy, during his visit to the IESCO AMI Control Center, the minister discussed the benefits of AMI meters in addressing overbilling issues and enhancing system transparency by minimizing human intervention. The meters, featuring a built-in net metering facility, allow consumers to monitor their electricity usage via a mobile application and facilitate bill payments through One Link.

The minister highlighted that the effective monitoring of these installations reflects a commitment to a technology-driven power system and aligns with the vision of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to improve consumer services. He stated that future plans include expanding the AMI system nationwide, with a program for over 10 million new meter installations set to launch soon.

The minister also mentioned that consumers will gain a clearer understanding of their electricity bills and system status, particularly after June. Current billing issues are being addressed, with an emphasis on digitizing single-phase meters for enhanced consumer convenience.

The visit was attended by IESCO officials, who briefed the minister on the project’s progress and demonstrated the system’s capabilities in real-time monitoring and fault identification. The system’s ability to detect electricity theft and reduce disconnection costs was underscored as a means to improve service reliability.