VANDERBIJLPARK – Emfuleni’s BXC smart meter programme has expanded at a massive rate this year, and the total number of activated smart meters installed in the region now stands at 4145 – providing a massive boost to municipal revenue generation for service delivery.
BXC is currently installing in SE6 in Vanderbijlpark and plans to extend installations to SE7 by the end of March, according to BXC project manager Dawid Dirks.
The target for BXC in Emfuleni over the coming months is at least 12 000 electricity smart meters and 5 000 water smart meters.
The BXC programme is considered one of the most advanced in Gauteng, both technically and in terms of its Stakeholder Engagement and social management aspects vital for community buy-in. The Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) is compelled in terms of its debt relief agreement with the National Treasury to install smart meters. This provides revenue security for the municipality and major benefits to customers, such as removing corrupt paper-based billing and enabling consumers to plan ahead on both water and electricity consumption.
In SE 6, 420 smart meters have already been installed, said Dirks, and consumers were becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of smart meters as opposed to paper-based billing and traditional pre-paid meters.
“Although consumers must comply with the installation of smart meters, they are also increasingly realising that water and electricity smart meters do not only benefit ELM, but also themselves in many respects,” Dirks said.
Dirks said BXC and ELM were continuously engaging with the various communities involved and had mobilised both councillors and the business community to ensure public participation and public education.