Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), Malaysia’s only electric utility company throughout Peninsular Malaysia and eastern Sabah is planning to install 9.1 million Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) or ‘smart meters’ in majority of households by 2026. The smart meters technology that is imported from France and the United States is being tested and certified by SIRIM Berhad, the national organization for standards and quality in the country.
Under the Energy Commission’s Regulatory Period 2 (RP2) 2018-2020, about MYR 1.2 billion (USD 287 million) is being spent, with 1.5 million smart meters scheduled to be installed in selected homes around Melaka and Klang Valley, which will allow users to track their power usage and patterns in real-time. The technology would also assist TNB to monitor electricity usage in line with its carbon-free initiative, as well as to help users to manage their electrical consumption more efficiently.
With regard to the cost of meters, TNB stated that the prices would be reduced through phases (RP2-RP4) depending on technology development. The smart meter installation is free for all users and will be carried out by TNB-appointed technicians. Previously TNB completed a pilot project in 2018 involving 1,000 houses using MYR 9 million (USD 2.1 million) of government funding.
(Sources: Malaysiakini; New Straits Times)
