Power sector automation has to be expedited: Nasrul Hamid

Automation of the power sector has to be expedited to ensure hassle-free customer service, State Minister for power, energy, and mineral resources Nasrul Hamid said on Saturday.

The smart meters will make the users responsible in terms of power consumption, he added.

He made the remarks as the chief guest while virtually inaugurating production activities of smart prepaid meters by the Bangladesh Power Equipment Manufacturing Company Limited (BPEMC).

BPEMC has to ensure quality of the meters alongside setting a competitive price, said Nasrul, adding that it has to be ensured that customers get after-sales service.

Earlier, in September last year, the government formed the BPEMC under a joint venture initiative – between the state-run Rural Power Company Limited (RPCL) and privately-run Chinese company Shenzhen Star Instrument Company Limited (SSICL) – to manufacture electric equipment and smart pre-paid meters in the country.

RPCL's share is 51 percent in the BPEMC and Shenzhen's 49 percent.

The government has a target of installing around 66,56,030 smart meters by 2021.

Until November this year, 37 lakh meters have been installed.