Neil Bosworth, Director, Product Marketing, Smart Energy, Wirepas talks about Smart metering business
Tell us about Smart Metering – the technology it uses, its role in the energy industry and the investment cost
Smart meters are advanced energy measurement devices that leverage IoT (Internet of Things), communication networks and cloud-based analytics to provide near real-time data on electricity consumption. Unlike traditional meters, they enable two-way communication between consumers and utilities, facilitating accurate billing, remote monitoring and predictive maintenance.
In the energy industry, smart meters play a crucial role in modernising grids, supporting demand-side management and integrating renewable energy sources. They allow utilities to detect outages quickly, optimise load distribution and encourage energy conservation among consumers through detailed usage insights.
The investment cost varies depending on the technology, installation scale and network infrastructure. In any case, the long-term benefits of reduced operational losses, improved revenue assurance and enhanced grid efficiency make the investment highly viable.
What is the acceptability of Smart Metering in the Indian energy sector?
India has demonstrated significant enthusiasm for smart metering, driven by the government’s strong policy push and the ambitious target of installing 330 million smart meters by 2025–26 under the Smart Meter National Programme (SMNP).
Utilities across India are recognizing the benefits of smart meters for accurate billing, reduced commercial losses and real-time load monitoring. Large cities and state-owned utilities have already begun wide-scale deployments, while private players are also contributing through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
While consumer awareness and interoperability with legacy infrastructure remain challenges, the direction is clear: the government’s 330 million meter rollout goal underscores that smart metering is a cornerstone of India’s energy transition strategy. The acceptability of smart metering is therefore accelerating, backed by policy support, favourable regulatory frameworks and proven pilot successes.
What are your expansion plans in India for your IoT products and Smart Meters?
India is one of our most important growth markets, and our focus is on enabling large-scale, reliable and cost-efficient deployments that directly align with the government’s smart metering roadmap. We already have over 10 million smart electricity meters connected in India with our Wirepas Mesh technology, supporting the country’s ambitious energy transition. Our technology is based on NR+, a standard designed for large-scale deployments, ensuring interoperability across devices and systems.
We have recently introduced Wirepas Certified, a new business model that guarantees reliability and interoperability. For the first time in industry, utilities and AMI solution providers get a performance guarantee – if a meter doesn’t connect or meet the requirements, the service is free. This framework ensures that utilities and AMI providers can invest in smart metering infrastructure with confidence, knowing that scalability, security and interoperability are fully supported.
Our roadmap is focused on close collaboration with utilities, AMI service providers and technology partners to expand deployments across diverse geographies in India. With proven large-scale deployments already in operation and our new certification model, we are positioned to accelerate the rollout of smart meters and IoT solutions that directly contribute to a smarter, more sustainable energy future.
What are the security issues and challenges involved in using these devices? How do you resolve them?
Smart electricity meters face cybersecurity challenges just like other IoT devices. Ensuring the privacy and integrity of consumer data, as well as the operational security of the grid is critical. Our offering is always compliant with national cybersecurity standards and international best practices to make sure we maintain high levels of security while delivering reliable service.
Disclaimer – The details expressed in this post are from the companies responsible for sending this post for publication. This website doesn’t endorse the details published here. Readers are urged to use their own discretion while making a decision about purchasing or using a product/service related to this company, or using this information in any way. There has been no monetary benefit to the Publisher/Editor/Website Owner for publishing this post and the Website Owner takes no responsibility for the impacts of purchasing or using these products/services on the reader, or using this information in any way.
Global Perspectives... 