Politics · Sri Lanka Bureau
Sri Lanka to roll out 300,000 smart meters with ADB backing
The island nation is set to deploy smart electricity meters across the country over the next two years under a $2.5 million Asian Development Bank-funded initiative. The project will introduce Time-of-Use billing to help optimize energy consumption.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
Sri Lanka is moving forward with a major upgrade to its electricity metering infrastructure, with plans to install 300,000 smart meters nationwide. The initiative, backed by $2.5 million in funding from the Asian Development Bank, is expected to be completed within a two-year timeframe.
The deployment will introduce a Time-of-Use billing system, a demand management tool that adjusts electricity rates based on consumption patterns throughout the day. This approach is designed to encourage consumers to shift energy usage away from peak hours, potentially reducing strain on the national grid and lowering overall electricity costs.
Smart meter technology enables utilities to collect consumption data remotely and in real time, improving billing accuracy and reducing non-technical losses in the distribution network. The rollout represents a significant step toward modernizing Sri Lanka's power sector infrastructure and aligning it with regional standards.
The project aligns with broader efforts across South Asia to enhance energy efficiency and grid management as countries grapple with rising demand and the need for sustainable power solutions. Officials have indicated the smart meter deployment will provide consumers with better visibility into their energy usage patterns while supporting the utility's operational efficiency.