Discoms muse on new biz strategies to lift revenue

Cash-starved electricity distribution companies (discoms) are exploring new revenue streams such as sharing data on inefficient appliances installed at user homes with appliance sellers, according to industry executives.

Under the plan, the discoms will tap user data on power consumption to pinpoint inefficient appliances in a household. They can then send a personalized customer alert and also share the data with equipment sellers for them to make a sales pitch for replacing the older appliances. This new business strategy could potentially become a lucrative source of revenue for the discoms.

This comes as India works towards implementing a nationwide programme to replace around 250 million conventional meters with smart meters.