Imminent switch of households to Smart Prepaid Electricity
Next year will see the installation of smart meters to replace the conventional and traditional post-paid systems. Customers will be required to purchase electricity on a prepaid basis.
The Tshwane metro aims to roll out smart prepaid electricity meters to a number of households before the end of this year. This follows the successful installation of smart prepaid meters at so-called high-end electricity users, such as businesses.
Next year will see the installation of smart meters to replace the conventional and traditional post-paid systems. Customers will be required to purchase electricity on a prepaid basis.
Smart meters will allow for automated meter reading, data management, data processing and analysis. Unlike the old meters, the new ones have anti-tampering technology and alarms linked to the metro’s system, which will help to reduce energy theft. The smart meters will also create a more efficient electricity grid, which will benefit customers, the local economy and the metro.
The metro’s electricity by-laws, which were approved and promulgated on 7 August 2013, prescribe the conversion of electricity metering from post-paid to prepaid. The by-laws cover issues such as theft and tampering, arrears, disconnection and reconnection. More information about the bylaws can be found on the website, www.tshwane.gov.za.
Customers will be notified of installation dates and the process involved. A pre-installation site survey will be conducted to assess the configuration of the existing meter.
Customers will be required to register their electricity account on a Self-Care Portal to manage it and purchase electricity credit. Once the smart meter has been successfully installed, customers will have 72 hours to register and perform their first electricity purchase.
During this time, the meter will register a negative balance that will be deducted from the amount of the first electricity purchase. If customers have not topped-up within 72 hours, supply of electricity will be interrupted until the customer has topped up to a positive balance.
Customers will be required to settle arrears on municipal accounts in order to purchase prepaid electricity.
The metro warned customers not to pay any money to officials or anyone claiming to be a representative of the Tshwane metro. There is no cost to consumers for the smart meter or its installation.
Any payment for municipal services should be made at municipal pay-points where you will be issued with a payment receipt. Payments for prepaid electricity must only be made into designated bank accounts. Details of these accounts will be made available to customers in subsequent communications.
Installation teams will be carrying photo identification cards bearing their names, the Tshwane metro logo, call centre number and identity number. Customers have been urged to immediately report any suspicious activities to: 012-943-9950.
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