APSPDCL Rolls Out Prepaid Smart Power Supply For Government Offices
The system covers 34,496 government electricity connections across nine districts; ₹15 crore paid in advance for power supply
TIRUPATI: Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (APSPDCL) has converted 34,496 government electricity connections under a prepaid billing system from Monday, requiring government departments to pay electricity charges in advance to ensure uninterrupted power supply.
The prepaid system covers government offices, educational institutions, municipalities, water works, street lighting, and other government services across Nellore, Tirupati, Chittoor, Annamayya, Kadapa, Kurnool, Nandyal, Anantapur and Sri Sathya Sai districts, which come under APSPDCL’s jurisdiction.
Smart meters have already been installed at these institutions. According to APSPDCL, the move is aimed at improving transparency in electricity consumption and billing, while addressing the issue of outstanding dues from government departments. The utility said prepaid metering would help strengthen its power purchase planning and cash flow management.
Ahead of the rollout, the 34,496 government institutions have paid APSPDCL nearly ₹15 crore through e-wallets to avail electricity services during the coming days. The company said the departments concerned have paid electricity charges and fixed charges in advance for their billing cycle.
District-wise, the institutions number 4,735 in Nellore involving a payment of ₹1.19 crore, 4,942 services in Tirupati involving ₹2.29 crore, 4,193 services in Chittoor involving ₹1.63 crore, 4,324 services in Annamayya involving ₹1.68 crore, 4,520 services in Kadapa involving ₹1.98 crore, 2,829 services in Anantapur involving ₹1.41 crore, 2,432 services in Sri Sathya Sai district involving ₹88.81 lakh, 3,243 services in Kurnool involving ₹1.63 crore, and 3,278 services in Nandyal involving ₹1.54 crore.
The corporation said these services have been grouped under various categories and are being operated through e-wallets. The concerned departments are required to pay electricity and fixed charges in advance for each billing cycle.
"Electricity charges will be deducted daily from the available prepaid balance. Alerts will be sent through SMS and e-mail when the balance falls below the prescribed minimum level," APSPDCL chairman and managing director Sivasankar Lotheti said.
He underlined that e-wallet facilities have been introduced to facilitate recharging of prepaid meters. The system would enable departments to monitor electricity consumption regularly and manage usage more efficiently, helping them control power bills, and improve accountability in electricity consumption.
The CMD said power supply would be disconnected automatically when the prepaid balance is exhausted. He advised government departments to ensure timely recharges to avoid disruption of services.
Sivasankar said the utility would extend the prepaid metering system to the remaining government institutions and other category consumers in a phased manner.