Support to Papua New Guinea Power Limited on Data Management, Metering, and Customer Engagement

The project focuses on meter management, billing, and collections, with a primary objective of implementing a smart metering system. The system will enhance data accuracy, reduce operational burdens, and optimize billing and collections. The smart metering system will be designed to provide real-time data on energy consumption, enabling PPL to identify areas of inefficiency and implement targeted interventions. The system will also enable the company to increase metering accuracy, reduce customer complaints, and improve customer engagement. The implementation of the smart metering system will involve the supply of smart meters, including current transformers and hardware equipment, as well as the design and installation of the Home Energy System (HES), Meter Data Management System (MDS), and Metering Communication System (MCS). The system configuration will involve the setup of access rights and security, meter and customer account setup, and meter reading setup, including meter integration, metering parameters, and billing parameters. The system will also be integrated with other PPL systems, including prepaid systems. The implementation of the smart metering system will require significant preparation, including data migration, meter installation, and meter reading. The project will involve the setup of a private mobile network for communication with the meters, using a private Access Point Name (APN) to ensure secure and reliable communication. The system will be designed to meet international standards, including the ISO/IEC-27000 series, to ensure the security of the IT systems and infrastructure. The implementation of the smart metering system will require a significant organizational culture shift, with a focus on employee ownership and prioritization of PPL objectives. The company will need to communicate the changes to all employees, prepare them for the changes, and provide training and incentives to ensure a smooth transition. The company will also need to upgrade its work environment to support the new system, including the installation of new hardware and software. The project timeline is estimated to take approximately 24.5 months, with the following key milestones: * Month 6: Bidding, contract award, and contract signing * Month 6.5: Project mobilization, including kick-off, site visits, and reconnaissance survey * Month 14.5: System customization, testing, and metering site preparation * Month 24.5: System and meter installation and commissioning The project will require a significant workforce, with an estimated 8,000 sites to be installed. The installation process will involve the setup of 4 teams per day, with a total of 10 teams required to complete all sites within 10 months.