Electricity and gas meters could be checked less often

Electricity and natural gas meters could be checked at longer intervals, following the model applied in some European Union states. The Ministry of Energy is analyzing this possibility in order to reduce distribution costs and, implicitly, the expenses reflected in the tariffs paid by consumers.

Currently, in the Republic of Moldova, three-phase meters are subject to metrological verification once every four years, while single-phase meters, used in most apartments and small houses, are verified once every eight years. According to estimates by the Ministry of Energy, extending the period between verifications could allow an operator to save approximately 40 million lei per year, excluding VAT. The costs of verifications are included in distribution tariffs.

In several EU member states, meters are checked once every eight years or even at longer intervals. Data provided by distribution operators show that the operating life of meters is, in many cases, considerably longer than the period between metrological verifications, and significant deviations are rare. The issue was discussed today at a meeting convened by the Minister of Energy, Dorin Junghietu, with the participation of electricity and natural gas distribution system operators and the leadership of the National Energy Regulatory Agency.

“We want to reduce as much as we can the pressure of bills on citizens and we are looking for savings in all processes that we can streamline,” said Dorin Junghietu.

The minister specified that less frequent verification of meters is one of the solutions being analyzed, based on European practices and the available technical data. Premier Energy Distribution supports the view that the current intervals for metrological verification could be extended by amending the regulatory framework.

The company notes that manufacturers guarantee that meters operate within optimal parameters for longer periods. According to the operator, the service life of a meter is approximately 18 years, and the changes under consideration would apply to all types of meters, not just smart ones. In turn, RED-Nord reported that it annually organizes tenders for the metrological verification of meters. The costs of these procedures amount to about 2 million lei, while the total annual expenses for verifications reach around 5 million lei.

Data presented by the company show that only about 5% of the meters checked display deviations that exceed the allowed margin. Most of these are old meters that are already undergoing a second metrological verification. In the natural gas sector, possibilities for optimization have also been identified. Operators have presented data showing that a large proportion of household consumers have low consumption, and in some cases the costs of maintaining and verifying meters exceed the revenues generated by the respective services.

The Ministry of Energy and ANRE will continue the technical and economic analysis together with distribution operators. Subsequently, the authorities intend to draft proposals to amend the regulatory framework, taking into account European standards, the experience of other states, and the recommendations of equipment manufacturers.