DHAKA, Oct 30, 2025 (BSS) – As part of the government’s campaign to reduce non-technical system losses and ensure smooth revenue collection, Dhaka Power Distribution Company Limited (DPDC) has installed 10,66,005 smart prepaid electricity meters in its distribution areas.

“The state-run DPDC has targeted bringing all consumers under the smart prepaid metering system,” Md Shamimul Haque, Deputy General Manager (HR) of DPDC, told BSS here today.

He said DPDC has around 19,09,004 consumers across the country, of whom over 10,66,005 smart prepaid meters have already been installed.

Haque said misuse of electricity and excessive system losses have been significantly reduced, while revenue earnings have increased following the introduction of the automated system.

He said the power distribution company launched a project to install 8.5 lakh smart prepaid meters in 2022, while it introduced the smart metering system and launched prepaid meter vending through machines in 2018.

According to DPDC, ensuring quality power supply to all customers is its main goal, with quick response to customers’ demands. It focuses on providing reliable and uninterrupted power supply with customer care.

DPDC supplies electricity to the southern part of Dhaka along with some areas in the northern part of the capital. It has 36 Network Operation and Customer Service (NOCS) offices under its jurisdiction.

The NOCS have undertaken various projects to install smart prepaid meters with their own, government, and lending agency financing.

Out of the 36 NOCS, the smart prepaid metering system is currently being installed under 28.

According to DPDC sources, Tk 1,244 crore remains due from different customers, including both government and private sectors. Of the amount, DPDC will get Tk 822 crore from government agencies and Tk 422 crore from private sector consumers.

The official said the smart prepaid meters have been contributing effectively to the economical use of electricity.

According to the ministry, the prepaid metering system can reduce non-technical losses to zero.

It said that with the installation of prepaid meters, consumers benefit from an easy and transparent system through which they can control electricity consumption and manage their budget.

The smart prepaid metering system also eliminates hassles related to bill payment, disconnection, or reconnection, as it requires no minimum charge or deposit and results in no disputed bills.

In addition, a smart prepaid meter user receives a 2 percent discount on the standard electricity billing rate. The system also provides warnings for low or negative credit during off-peak hours and holidays.

The smart prepaid metering system allows users to obtain emergency credit and helps prevent abnormal voltage fluctuations. It also maintains automated records, according to the information provided.

The ministry aims to reduce electricity system losses at the consumer level. Such losses occur partly due to technical issues at power plants and in transmission and distribution lines.

There is also a 5–7 percent loss due to non-technical reasons at the customer level, such as meter tampering, illegal connections, and other irregularities.

Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) designed and developed the prepaid meter for electricity use.