29.10.2026 23:34
EPDK President Mustafa Yılmaz announced that approximately 2.7 million new smart electricity meters will be installed by the end of 2027. Over the two-year process, the meters of 7 million subscribers will be able to be read remotely, while electricity outage and technical quality data for 15 million subscribers will be monitored. In addition, a test version of the mobile application, through which citizens can access information on their electricity consumption, outages, and compensation, has been put into service.
The President of the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK), Mustafa Yılmaz, announced that within the scope of the National Smart Meter System (MASS), approximately 2.7 million Smart Meter PRO models are planned to be installed by the end of 2027. Yılmaz stated that over the two-year period, the meters of approximately 7 million subscribers will be read remotely, while electricity outage and technical quality data for 15 million subscribers will be monitorable.
A NEW ERA IN ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION
EPDK President Mustafa Yılmaz made important statements about the future of the energy sector at the “1st Innovation, Dissemination and Entrepreneurship Days in the Electricity Distribution Sector” event, organized in cooperation with EPDK and the Electricity Distribution Services Association (Elder).
Noting that the energy sector is undergoing a major transformation, Yılmaz said that renewable energy, electric transportation, energy storage and distributed generation are changing not only the way electricity is produced but also the operation of distribution networks.
Emphasizing that their main goals in this transformation are to create stronger grids, higher-quality service and an energy infrastructure ready for the needs of the future, Yılmaz expressed that while the share of renewable resources in electricity generation increases, distribution networks must also prepare for new needs.
ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION INVESTMENTS INCREASED 1.5-FOLD
Noting that electricity distribution services across Türkiye are critical infrastructure requiring continuous investment and maintenance, Yılmaz said that a strong investment environment and effective operational approach are needed for 21 distribution companies to continue their activities under different geographical and climatic conditions.
Evaluating the regulations for the 2026-2030 period, Yılmaz said, “As EPDK, in the fifth implementation period covering 2026–2030, we increased the investment cap to approximately one and a half times in real terms compared with the previous period, and planned maintenance resources to 2.1 times.”
Drawing attention to the fact that the quality of distribution service cannot be measured solely by the size of the resources allocated, Yılmaz emphasized that investments must be directed to the right areas, grid assets must be managed effectively, and planned maintenance activities must produce concrete results.
Yılmaz said, “For what matters is not only how much you invest, but how this investment is reflected in service and quality for our citizens.”
ELECTRICITY OUTAGES AND SERVICE QUALITY WILL BE CLOSELY MONITORED
Noting that with the quality factor regulation published in April 2026, a new evaluation system was introduced in electricity distribution services, Yılmaz explained that the duration and frequency of outages, technical quality, user satisfaction, and occupational health and safety indicators are considered together.
Stating that these indicators also affect the revenue caps of distribution companies, Yılmaz said, “Our aim is to ensure that investments, maintenance activities and technological developments turn into concrete improvements in service quality.”
EPDK ACCEPTED 724 R&D PROJECTS
Also touching upon the support given to research and development activities in electricity and natural gas distribution, Yılmaz reported that since the July 2014 R&D project period, a total of 2,085 project applications have been made, of which 724 were accepted.
Explaining that 619 of the accepted projects were carried out in the field of electricity distribution and 105 in natural gas distribution, Yılmaz said, “This picture shows that our distribution companies have now become organizations that not only use technology but also directly participate in technology development processes.”
SUPPORT FOR DOMESTIC TECHNOLOGY AND CYBERSECURITY
Yılmaz stated that with the regulations published on September 5, the procedures and principles regarding R&D and innovation activities were updated.
He explained that with the new regulations, pre-serial production prototype development, verification tests, pilot applications, field demonstrations, cybersecurity tests and localization activities were included within the scope of support under certain conditions.
Yılmaz said, “We have included pre-serial production prototype development, verification tests, pilot applications, field demonstrations, cybersecurity tests and localization activities within the scope of support under certain conditions. We have also made the regulations on the protection of intellectual and industrial property rights a part of this framework.”
Emphasizing that a product that is successful in a laboratory environment must also demonstrate the same performance in the field, Yılmaz drew attention to the importance of new software operating securely and compatibly with existing systems.
Noting that completing R&D activities with product development activities is one of the fundamental steps in transforming research results into applicable technology, Yılmaz said, “What matters is to ensure that the work supported by public resources turns into concrete products, domestic solutions and a strong technology ecosystem.”
5 PERCENT INCENTIVE FOR COMPANIES USING DOMESTIC SOFTWARE
Noting that digitalization in electricity distribution is reshaping grid management, fault detection and maintenance processes, Yılmaz said that interoperability between systems, service continuity and cybersecurity are of vital importance for the sector.
He explained that within the scope of the “Domestic Software Ecosystem Call,” applications for which began to be accepted starting from the January 2023 R&D project period, 72 software project applications were made, of which 26 were accepted.
Yılmaz said, “In addition, the 5 percent increase in the weighted average cost of capital rate for distribution companies using domestic software in the 2026–2030 period is among the existing regulatory incentives.”
SMART METER TRANSFORMATION BEGAN ON MARCH 1
Noting that the National Smart Meter System was developed within the scope of an R&D project supported by EPDK, Yılmaz said that the system is one of the concrete results of research and development activities.
Stating that MASS improves remote communication and data acquisition capabilities from the grid, Yılmaz expressed that this technology offers new opportunities in terms of fault prediction, risk-based maintenance, combating losses and theft, and grid resilience against disasters.
Recalling that the smart meter transformation began on March 1, 2026, Yılmaz announced that by September, the installation of 4 million Smart Meter EKO and 70 thousand Smart Meter PRO had been completed.
Yılmaz said, “With the meters developed within the scope of MASS, the smart meter transformation began as of March 1, 2026, and by September, the installation of 4 million Smart Meter EKO and 70 thousand Smart Meter PRO had been completed. In the rollout of smart meters, the basic principle is to ensure the transformation of the maximum number of meters at the lowest possible cost.”
BY THE END OF 2027, THE METERS OF 7 MILLION SUBSCRIBERS WILL BE READ REMOTELY
Noting that the smart meter transformation will accelerate in the coming period, Yılmaz reported that approximately 2.7 million Smart Meter PRO models are planned to be installed by the end of 2027.
Yılmaz said, 'Within this scope, it is planned to install approximately 2.7 million Smart Meter PRO models by the end of 2027. Thus, in a two-year period, the meters of approximately 7 million subscribers will be included in remote reading, and within the scope of network monitoring, outage and technical quality data at the connection points of 15 million subscribers will be monitored.'
With the new system, it is aimed to manage the electricity distribution network more effectively and to monitor outages and technical quality issues more closely.
A MOBILE APPLICATION FOR ELECTRICITY SUBSCRIBERS HAS BEEN LAUNCHED
It was announced that the test version of the MASS user mobile application, which will enable citizens to access their electricity consumption and generation data simultaneously with the smart meter transformation, has been put into service.
Through the application, it is aimed for all electricity subscribers in Türkiye to be able to access consumption and generation data, electricity outage records, compensation information, and planned outage notifications.
Yılmaz stated that the transformation process will continue with the implementation of different communication methods as well.
WARNING TO COMPANIES FALLING BEHIND IN METER REPLACEMENT
Emphasizing that the smart meter transformation will be closely monitored by EPDK, Yılmaz said that necessary measures will be taken for distribution companies that do not comply with the determined schedule.
Yılmaz said, 'I would especially like to emphasize that necessary measures will be taken regarding companies that fall behind the planning in the smart meter transformation.'
R&D PROJECTS WILL BE TRANSFORMED INTO DOMESTIC PRODUCTS
Also touching on the importance of the event organized in cooperation with EPDK and Elder, Yılmaz said that the organization brought together the knowledge and experience of 21 electricity distribution companies with researchers, technology developers, and entrepreneurs.
He explained that within the scope of the new R&D and Product Development regulations, expenses for incubation centers, acceleration programs, training, and dissemination activities are also supported under the specified conditions.
Stating that the institution's priorities are more reliable electricity grids, more effective investment and maintenance decisions, safer conditions for employees, and higher-quality service for consumers, Yılmaz emphasized that domestic technology development efforts will continue.
Yılmaz completed his speech with the statements, 'As an institution, with our regulations, we will continue to strengthen investment and service quality, transform R&D results into applicable products, and support the domestic technology ecosystem.'