Smart-meter project aims to cut energy waste in Uzbekistan
Compared to the size of its economic output, Uzbekistan has one of the highest electricity consumption levels in the world. At the same time, though, the Central Asian nation also has an aging and hugely inefficient energy infrastructure.
The Uzbek government and state-owned utility Uzbekenergo are hoping to change that with the help of a $150-million loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The just-approved financing will support an “Advanced Electricity Metering Project” to install one million modern “smart” meters for residential and small-commercial customers in three Uzbek cities: Bukhara, Jizzakh and Samarkand.
The meters will use an automated management system to help the electricity company reduce power losses and increase revenues. They will also be digital and theft-proof.
The upgraded technology is expected to help Uzbekenergo reduce transmission and distribution losses that currently come in at around 20 percent — almost four times as high as seen in more developed economies. Most of the utility’s existing meters are also unreliable and easy to tamper with.
“The advanced metering system will help to substantially reduce commercial and tariff collection losses for residential and small-business customers by ensuring that energy used is properly accounted for and billed,” said Rune Stroem, director of the Energy Division of ADB’s Central and West Asia Department. “The impact of this will be greater energy efficiency and a more financially viable power sector for Uzbekistan.”
The new meters will use a “smart” two-way communication technology that gives customers more frequent and detailed information on their energy usage. The meters will also help the utility read meters remotely, detect commercial losses and access accurate information for load management to improve operations.
ADB funding will also support training for Uzbekenergo staff to install the meters and run the system, and provide for public information to help educate customers about the new meters and the billing system.
The Uzbek government and Uzbekenergo will provide an additional $50 million in funding to support the project, which is due for completion in December 2014.
