Billing me softly

Ciena Corporation regional MD Mashood Ahmad.
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Right now, the GCC is standing on the cusp of a ‘smart’ revolution. In some respects, the region is even further ahead than other competitor markets as it rolls out a selection of pilot smart metering programmes.

While the numbers being deployed here may not be in the same league as in similar deployments in Europe and the US, the UAE, in particular, has been quick to see the benefits that new metering technology will provide both to utilities and the ultimate end-client – the consumer.

While every GCC country is considering implementing regulations with regard to smart metering, the UAE has stolen a lead. Abu Dhabi has already started deploying a range of devices and Dubai will see its pilot programme become operational by April next year.

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Earlier this year, the Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) ordered around 20,000 meters – 4,500 of which are being installed in the pilot phase - and a full phased implementation is likely to occur based on the devices’ performance during the peak loads of next summer.

Over the border in Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom has purchased its first tranche of smart meters, although it has not yet invested in the operating system.

“At present legislation in the Middle East is in a nascent stage,” says Rajiv Sawhney, Landis+Gyr’s CEO, Middle East. “However, there are directives that point towards protecting the environment and our natural resources, and improving energy efficiency; smart metering being a key enabler of this.”

Sawhney believes that on the regulation front, a lot needs to be done to bring the Middle East up to speed in comparison to Europe.

“A first step towards legislation would be the privatisation of the energy distribution sector,” he explains.

“This would increase competition in the industry, optimise processes and bring into focus overall energy management to enable the smart grid.”

The Landis+Gyr executive believes that lowering the current electricity subsidies in the region would make the benefits of smart metering more apparent, and the organisation of supply and demand more significant.

“Time-of-use applications, demand charges, power factor penalties and serious steps towards influencing consumer behaviour would need to be employed, thereby providing a stable and reliable power supply to consumers,” Sawhney argues.