HPL expands smart meter business, partners with Wirepas for cutting-edge electricity solutions

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, FEBRUARY 27, 2025

HPL Electric & Power Ltd (“HPL”), a leading name in electrical equipment and smart meters, has reinforced its presence in the smart metering segment by launching India’s first “Wirepas-certified In-meter Gateway.” This innovation, developed in collaboration with global IoT connectivity provider Wirepas, integrates RF mesh technology into advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), streamlining electricity distribution and ensuring uninterrupted access to power.

Designed for efficiency, the in-meter gateway is compact, cost-effective, and easy to install, eliminating the need for special permissions from authorities. With an annual production capacity of 10 million smart meters, HPL aims to roll out the product across India before expanding to global markets.

Rishi Seth, Managing Director of HPL, highlighted the product’s game-changing potential: “By embedding a fully certified gateway within the smart meter itself, we simplify deployment for utilities that often face challenges with unreliable cellular coverage. This innovation ensures consistent data collection, reduces the total cost of ownership, and simplifies large-scale rollouts, potentially transforming India’s AMI landscape.”

Wirepas CEO Teppo Hemiä emphasized the scalability of the technology: “Our proven mesh technology, combined with HPL’s high-quality meters, delivers a powerful, future-proof AMI solution. This system dynamically adapts to evolving network needs without requiring costly, dedicated hardware.”

Wirepas currently supports millions of devices globally, with smart metering networks achieving an impressive 99.9% reliability. The new HPL smart meters embed dual-radio functionality, integrating both an 865–868 MHz RF mesh and an LTE modem. The RF radio collects data from up to 300 smart meters using a multi-hop mesh, while the LTE modem transmits the data seamlessly to HPL’s head-end system.

By integrating the gateway within the meter itself, this solution eliminates the need for standalone gateway devices, reducing costs and operational complexities such as site surveys, installation procedures, and maintenance overheads. With this cutting-edge development, HPL and Wirepas are set to redefine smart metering infrastructure, enhancing efficiency and reliability for utilities and consumers alike.