LESCO Smart Meter Project Revolution: How LESCO’s Rs 1.6B Project Ends Overbilling
The Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) has launched a groundbreaking Rs. 1.6 billion Lesco smart meter project 2025 to eradicate overbilling and electricity theft—a move set to transform how 7 million consumers experience power services. For the first time, Lahore’s residential neighborhoods, industrial zones, and community spaces like Basant Club will benefit from fully automated, tamper-proof billing. This LESCO project responds to years of consumer outrage over inflated bills and positions LESCO as Pakistan’s first distribution company to implement centralized, real-time monitoring across its entire network 167.
Technical Blueprint: How the System Works
Meter Deployment Strategy
- 16,000 advanced meters: Installation includes:
- Bidirectional smart meters for solar users, enabling precise tracking of energy import/export 26.
- AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) meters for industries, tube wells, and new connections 47.
- SIM-based connectivity: All meters transmit real-time data to a central control room, eliminating manual readings and human errors 17.
Four-Pillar Implementation
- Theft Prevention: Real-time anomaly detection flags unauthorized consumption 9.
- Automated Billing: Bills generated directly from control room data, removing meter reader discretion 6.
- Solar Integration: Bidirectional meters ensure net metering accuracy for 5,000+ solar users 27.
- Demand Management: Industries access live usage data to optimize operations during peak hours (5 PM–11 PM) 4.
Rollout Timeline & Progress
| Phase | Timeline | Key Milestones |
|---|---|---|
| Procurement | March 2025 | Rs. 1.6B budget approved; meters ordered 16. |
| Installation | June 2025–Dec 2025 | 16,000 meters prioritized for high-theft areas (e.g., Kasur’s 291 feeders) 9. |
| Control Room | August 2025 | SIM-based monitoring goes live 7. |
| Full Operation | January 2026 | Projected elimination of manual billing 6. |
Consumer Impact: From Skepticism to Relief
Residential Users
- Transparent billing: Bills reflect actual usage, ending estimated/inflated charges 6.
- Self-monitoring: Mobile apps will provide real-time consumption data 7.
Solar Adopters
- Fair compensation: Bidirectional meters track exported energy, ensuring accurate credits 27.
Industries & Agriculture
- Tube well operators: AMI meters prevent overbilling for 3,500+ agricultural connections 4.
- Large industries: Centralized monitoring removes NOC hurdles for TOU meters 4.
Challenges & Controversies
- Meter procurement centralization: LESCO banned private market purchases, causing delays for industries needing certified replacements 413.
- High-loss feeders: 291 feeders (30% losses) in Kasur/Sheikhupura threaten rollout efficiency 9.
- Consumer distrust: Historical overbilling sparks skepticism; success hinges on flawless execution 613.
The Road Ahead
LESCO CEO Ramzan Butt faces pressure to deliver this transformation amid infrastructure gaps. Upgrades to data networks and substations are critical to support AMI technology 13. If successful, the project could:
- Reduce Rs. 17B annual losses from theft 9.
- Position LESCO as a model for other DISCOs (e.g., K-Electric, IESCO).
- Pave the way for nationwide grid modernization by 2028.
Key Takeaway: This isn’t just new hardware—it’s a fundamental rewrite of LESCO’s social contract. Fair billing is now technologically enforced, not just promised.