PNGRB, EESL Partner to Deploy Smart Gas Meters Across India's City Gas Distribution Sector

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) and Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate the large-scale deployment of smart domestic Piped Natural Gas (PNG) meters across India's City Gas Distribution (CGD) sector.

Under this agreement, PNGRB will provide regulatory and sectoral support by sharing information related to standards, certification requirements, regulatory developments, conformity assessment, and inspection of smart domestic PNG meters. It will also facilitate consultations and coordination among stakeholders and support the development of a standardised framework for deployment across the CGD network.

EESL will undertake demand aggregation for domestic PNG smart meters and use its technical expertise and industry network to coordinate with CGD companies and other participants in the smart-metering ecosystem. It will also conduct market assessments and technical evaluations and explore competitive procurement, price discovery, and suitable models for the supply, installation, operation, and maintenance of the meters.

According to PNGRB Secretary Anjan Kumar Mishra, smart PNG meters are expected to address several concerns related to accuracy, revenue assurance, safety monitoring, and customer service as the network expands. They can provide more accurate billing, real-time information on gas consumption, and digital access to usage data, allowing households to monitor and better manage their energy expenditure.