CII paper calls for oversight mechanism and consumer awareness on smart meter data collection
The Business Factors News Desk
New Delhi, May 6, 2025: Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairman, Central Electricity Authority, today said the potential of data analytics in smart metering presents an opportunity that needs to be harnessed. "Data analytics is the next generation in the case of smart meters. We need to leverage it and grab this opportunity," he said at the 3rd CII Conference on Smart Metering.
Prasad said the efficiency gains through smart metering would be reflected in the ARR (Annual Revenue Requirement) petitions filed by power distribution companies, and from there would reflect in consumer tariffs.
Shashank Misra, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Power, said, "Some 1.12 lakh smart meters are being installed every day. This is a significant number as compared to only 15,000 smart meter installations daily in 2024. Smart meter use cases showcasing benefits for consumers and discoms will help us achieve higher numbers."
CII theme paper on Cybersecurity & Privacy in Smart Metering
“For the continued success of smart metering, it is critical to ensure cybersecurity with the right firmware on all communication modules, along with well-run key management systems with adequate cryptography. The CII theme paper goes into the details of this and lays out how best practices can be adopted by AMISPs and Discoms," said Dr Sukhet Singhal, chairman, CII Taskforce on Smart Metering and Group CEO, Secure Meters.
CII also today unveiled a theme paper on Protecting the Future of Energy: Cybersecurity & Privacy in Smart Metering Infrastructure. The paper delves into the cybersecurity and privacy aspects of smart metering infrastructure and its implications on individual consumers and the broader grid infrastructure. It identifies potential risks, examines legal and ethical concerns, and evaluates the mechanisms in place to ensure secure, transparent, and ethical data management. By implementing robust security measures and staying abreast of emerging technologies, utility companies can protect their smart meter networks and ensure the continued reliability and safety of the energy grid.
The paper has been prepared through a consultative process among members of the CII Core Group on Smart Metering. The core group constituted a Taskforce on Data Privacy on Smart Metering. It gives an international perspective.
Key Recommendations:
Investment in robust communication infrastructure, such as LPWAN, NB-IoT, and 5G to ensure uninterrupted smart meter connectivity and the need to develop smart meters with enhanced functionalities like AI-based analytics and remote-control features.
An oversight mechanism to conduct regular audits and obtain necessary clearances from regulatory bodies to ensure adherence to national standards.
Developing cost-effective solutions to ensure widespread adoption across different market segments.
Financial incentives for the deployment of dedicated resources for implementing data privacy controls need to be devised.
It proposes developing user-friendly apps and dashboards to provide real-time energy usage insights.
The paper also recommends compliance with national and international standards for data privacy and cybersecurity to establish comprehensive cybersecurity protocols for critical infrastructure has been highlighted. Smart metering systems must comply with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) guidelines and international standards such as ISO/IEC27001 and NIST Cybersecurity Framework.
Utilities can leverage best global practices, which require utilities to actively engage with customers and educate them about the types of data collected and the security measures in place regarding the privacy of their customers.
To ensure successful implementation, India can integrate these global practices into its smart meter policies, under NSGM and RDSS, while also leveraging the Digital Personal Data Protection Act. Addressing the diverse needs of urban and rural areas with customised encryption, authentication, and privacy measures, along with consumer education, will strengthen the overall system. States, like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Gujarat and Karnataka, can serve as pilot regions to set the stage for nationwide adoption, while learning from the UK’s encryption, Germany’s access controls, and the EU’s privacy standards to build a resilient, trusted smart grid ecosystem.
