Meter Shortage Forces LESCO to Revert to Traditional Technology

Lahore Electric Supply Company has resumed the purchase of traditional single-phase static electricity meters, effectively putting the planned rollout of AMI smart meters on hold once again. The move comes as LESCO faces mounting consumer complaints due to a prolonged shortage of meters for new and replacement connections.

According to a media report, LESCO has decided to procure around 225,000 single-phase static meters at an estimated cost of Rs. 1 billion. This decision marks a clear reversal of the policy announced nearly two months ago, when the utility halted conventional meter purchases and committed to installing AMI smart meters under directions from the Power Division.

The earlier ban on ordinary meters left LESCO without sufficient stock, delaying new electricity connections and the replacement of faulty meters across its service areas. Consumers faced confusion after reports that official correspondence from the Power Division was cited in a way that made the status of meter installations unclear. With complaints increasing, the utility opted to resume buying static meters to restore normal operations.

By returning to conventional meters, LESCO aims to clear the backlog of pending connections and ensure faster replacement of defective units. However, the decision raises questions about the future timeline of smart meter deployment, which was intended to improve billing transparency and reduce losses in the power sector.