Islamabad: A new pilot project will track and curb incidences of power theft through mobile phones, a news source reported. It will be initiated in one of the most difficult areas of the country.
UK’s GSMA will sponsor the project for the electricity feeder of Karkhano area in Peshawar. Currently, the said region has a power-theft ratio of over 54%. GSMA will provide funds worth 200,000 pounds sterling, and present digital solutions to the cellular company, JAZZ.
The Centre for Intelligence Systems and Network Research (CISNR) will handle the project’s implementation. CISNR is a private firm that works on automation and digital solutions for various industrial sectors.
CISNR CEO Dr Gul Muhammad introduced the project’s concept to the media on Monday. He explained that its working was similar to the smart-metering project. However, this new venture will cost less than the metering solution.
Under this pilot project, CISNR will install smart electronic devices at various stages of the electricity supply chain. The monitoring offices will gauge electricity consumption from meters supplied to the area. These smart devices will help detect any imbalances in electricity consumption; thereby easing the search for power thieves.
Dr Gul said that his company plans to collaborate with JAZZ and other companies for participating in the bidding process for the government’s smart-metering programme.
Meanwhile, JAZZ chief commercial officer Ali Naseer said that the company has developed an application for consumers to check their power consumption. However, this provision will not be available in the pilot project.
