“Izvestia” learned about the timing of the transition to “smart” water and heat meters

The Ministry of Construction proposed to include in the tariffs for payment of housing and communal services (HCS) the costs of installing and maintaining “smart” water and heat meters. It is reported “News” with reference to the department’s letter to the Russian government. A gradual transition to smart meters is proposed to be established from 2025.

They want to assign the obligation to install “smart” meters to resource-supplying organizations if they act as a service provider. All expenses will be included in the tariffs for housing and communal services. The report of the Ministry of Construction indicates that in order to switch to the use of artificial intelligence in the housing and communal services sector, it is necessary to introduce “smart” meters at all stages of resource accounting, namely in houses, apartments, as well as in non-residential buildings, for example, at commercial and industrial facilities.

The Ministry of Construction informed the publication that the issue of using smart metering devices has not yet been accepted for implementation and at the moment can only be considered as an initiative. The timing of the project will be determined based on the results of the joint work of the interested departments – in terms of the analysis of the tariff burden and further coordination with other federal authorities, the Ministry of Construction indicated.

From the project of the Ministry of Construction, it follows that in 2024, in order to prepare the legal basis for the use of smart metering devices, changes should be made to laws. From 2025, the transition to smart meters in non-residential buildings should begin, and from 2027 – in residential buildings.

Kommersant back in July 2022 informedthat the Ministry of Construction proposes to include in the tariffs for heat and water the costs of building and maintaining “digital infrastructure”, including the installation of “smart” meters. In some regions, this could lead to an increase in the total payment for housing and communal services above inflation. The Federal Antimonopoly Service opposed changes in the principles for calculating the payment. The government may oblige all multi-apartment buildings under construction in the country to be equipped with smart meters for water, gas and electricity.

More details – in the material “Kommersant” “Digitalization has knocked”.

Milena Kostereva