The Russian government is evaluating a proposal from the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Communal Services to include the costs of installing and maintaining smart water and heat meters in tariffs for housing and communal services. This initiative, reported by News, would tie meter-related expenses to the overall charges paid by residents and businesses for utilities.
According to the ministry, embracing artificial intelligence in the housing and communal services sector would require smart meters to be used at every stage of resource accounting. Responsibility for installing these devices would rest with resource sourcing organizations when they act as service providers, and the related costs would be added to utility tariffs.
The ministry argues that the transition would exceed current limits on tariff changes, covering purchase, installation, maintenance, calibration, and eventual replacement of measuring devices and systems. In other words, the total tariff impact would be reflected in consumer payments for utilities.
Plans call for changes to laws and regulations to establish a legal framework for these innovations, with the aim of implementing the changes in 2024. The rollout would begin in non-residential premises in 2025, followed by residential premises in 2027.
A government source described the introduction of smart meters as a learning experience drawn from the electricity sector, suggesting that tariff increases should be analyzed before proceeding. The idea is to assess potential financial effects and ensure any adjustments are justified by the observed benefits.
The Ministry of Energy added that the timing and steps of tariff load analysis, along with subsequent coordination, would be determined after collaborative work among the relevant departments and a thorough assessment of outcomes. This coordination is meant to align energy policy with broader utility modernization efforts.
Earlier reports from Russia indicated a possible reform of the housing and communal services fee collection system, signaling broader efforts to modernize how charges are calculated and billed. [Citation: Government sources and industry reports, 2024]