A “smarter and better” meter will be rolled out to residents following several complaints about the current meters being installed.
This was according to Tshwane utilities MMC Abel Tau who said smart meters better than the previous ones residents had would be installed “going forward”.
This after residents expressed discontent with the current smart meters, which according to Tau, were installed to comply with court orders to replace the approximately 13 000 smart meters within four months.
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Tau told Rekord that the metro would install new meters that were expected to stem all the issues raised. Recently installed meters would also be replaced.
Many residents have complained that the new meters were a “downgrade” from the previous smart meters.
Complaints included additional charges and a lack of warning systems when electricity was low.
Residents also complained that they were unable to check balances online, purchase and load electricity remotely.
Some residents were also unhappy that because of the delayed migration of accounts to the new system, units of electricity from the old meters were not transferred to their new meters.
Other complaints were about “unprofessional” personnel tasked with replacing the meters in addition to the process not happening seamlessly as residents thought it would when first announced.
“The personnel who replace the meters are not on time and don’t keep to the appointments made,” said east resident Christo van der Walt.
“Also, the new meter does not pick up a signal unless you are within 10m. This is ridiculous – and to think I was looking forward to a new improved smart meter.”
ALSO READ: UPDATE: Confusion over new electricity meter purchase points
Tau said he had recently met with all the service providers involved, because “I wasn’t happy with the way the roll-out was going”.
He said the process was marred by contractual issues and disputes, however, he remained confident the metro would roll-out the new meters “seamlessly”.
“Part of our unreadiness was as a result of some of the things needed were not correctly procured. For instance, we had a stock of meters that didn’t communicate with the software.
“We have since resolved some of the issues, but we decided to slow down the roll-out as we still have four months as per the court order.”
He said the metro took the concerns raised by residents “seriously”.
“I understand their frustration. We would not want to give residents a meter that is a downgrade.”
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He said the metro was under pressure as a result of the court order.
This resulted in the metro installing “normal” meters from March to meet the deadline.
He said the metro would replace them with smart meters.
“Going forward we are going to install smart meters better than the ones they had in the beginning.
“It was a decision that had to be taken to stop the R4-million daily haemorrhage arising from the previous smart meter contract.”
He said complaints regarding the personnel have also been dealt with.
“Complaints of inadequate communication on how to use the meters, as some would simply have the meter delivered at their residence, have also been addressed.
“We looked into all the complaints,” said Tau.
“The service providers have been instructed to make sure there is proper communication before and after the installation of new meters so as to avoid any confusion.”
The new meter service provider could not yet provide comment.
ALSO READ: UPDATE: Smart meter replacements begin
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