Smart Meters Are Changing the Rules for Millions of Residents in Tatarstan
Tatarstan is continuing a large-scale digital transformation of its power distribution network. According to Setevaya kompaniya (Grid Company), more than 535,000 smart electricity meters had been installed by the end of May 2026, and the rollout is still underway.
In practice, every second customer of Setevaya kompaniya now transmits meter readings automatically. For residents, the most immediate benefit is convenience. They no longer need to submit electricity readings manually, and bills are generated automatically. In addition, smart-meter functionality allows customers to track electricity consumption in real time through a personal account, remotely select and switch between time-of-use tariffs based on their needs, and significantly reduce energy costs.
For Setevaya kompaniya itself, the system serves as a powerful oversight tool. The utility can monitor consumption levels across the network and even identify unauthorized connections by locating sections where electricity use is not being tracked. It also eliminates the need for manual meter inspections. If necessary, such as during an emergency, the company can remotely disconnect a specific section of the grid.
Driver of Smart Grids
Installation of smart metering devices is an ongoing process. Each year, Setevaya kompaniya installs about 60,000 meters free of charge as part of scheduled replacement programs and another 15,000 when connecting new customers.
Utilities across Russia are carrying out similar deployments. Together, these projects are laying the groundwork for smart distribution networks that give grid operators visibility into and operational oversight of everything happening within their systems. As digital twins and neural-network technologies are introduced, utilities will be able to process the resulting data and further optimize both electricity consumption and service reliability.
For Russian manufacturers of these systems, the domestic market is expected to remain the primary growth driver in the coming years because of strong demand. Meanwhile, devices that have already demonstrated their reliability and effectiveness could find opportunities in the power sectors of friendly nations. To succeed abroad, developers will need to account for local requirements governing data security and access to metering equipment.
Digitalization Timeline: How Federal Legislation Reshaped the Sector
Russia's path toward large-scale deployment of smart electricity meters began with local pilot projects. Setevaya kompaniya launched its own pilot in 2018 within the Yelabuga electric networks, installing 5,000 smart meters.
That same year, lawmakers established the framework for a future nationwide modernization effort by signing legislation that, beginning July 1, 2020, required electricity suppliers to install and maintain metering equipment at their own expense.
Since January 1, 2022, utilities have been required to install only intelligent metering devices. According to projections from Tatenergosbyt, its service territory alone will require at least 1.2 million smart meters by 2035. The Rosseti Group remains the national leader in smart-meter deployment, with roughly 8 million devices already connected.
From Pilots to Smart Cities
The transition from pilot projects to large-scale operation of intelligent metering systems in Tatarstan and across Russia shows that these technologies are becoming part of the everyday digital environment and an increasingly important component of smart-city infrastructure.
Over the next several years, outdated meters are expected to disappear almost entirely. Their replacements will be integrated into digital platforms used to manage critical infrastructure. That foundation will support demand management, advanced consumption analytics, and more flexible tariff programs.
