JOBURG SOUTH – FOLLOWING clearance by an independent investigation of all allegations of corruption and fraud in the awarding of its smart meters tender, City Power is now ready to continue with the roll-out of smart meters across the City of Johannesburg.

Over the past eight months, City Power has installed 153 smart meters in Ferndale, next to Randburg, and 2,500 with large power users in
Johannesburg as part of a project business trial.

The purpose of the business trial was to ensure that the roll-out takes place efficiently and smoothly. During the business trial, we also deployed meter data management software to collect meter reading information and provide it to the City of Johannesburg’s billing system. The business trial also enabled us to compile key business processes and to set up the back office environment so that we can realise the expected benefits.

Additionally, as part of the business trial City Power is also training staff responsible for deploying, operating and maintaining the Smart Metering solution so that we can continue to deliver world-class quality service to our customers.

City Power is proud that the project is also benefiting small businesses. We are training emerging micro and medium enterprises to complement core staff, thereby enabling City Power to deploy between 10 000 and 12 000 meters a month across the City of Johannesburg.

The business trial comes to an end on November 15, and will be followed by the full deployment of the Smart Meters, starting with 50 000 smart meter roll – out this financial year as part of Phase 1 smart meter deployment.

Already, City Power has started with pre-installation audit, 50 suburbs have been audited already, community engagement and communication will commence soon, the following suburbs will be the first to benefit from the phase 1 roll-out of 50 000 smart meters. These include among others:Glenvista, Crown Gardens, Suideroord, Regents Park Estate, Rosettenville, Turf Club, Kenilworth, Turffontein, Haddon, South Hills, Gillview, Tulisa Park, The Hill, Ridgeway, Robertsham, Towerby, Rewlatch, Theta, Booysens and Ophirton.

Benefits of the smart meters

By deploying smart meters, the City of Johannesburg is able to receive accurate electricity usage information, accurate data with which to plan future infrastructure expansions, and in the long term, we will be able to build a smart city.

Customers benefit as the technology enables the city to relay critical information to their houses and access factual information regarding their billing. They will be able to perform independent monthly bill reconciliations and validations, to proactively manage spending on electricity
throughout the month.

The initial phase is focusing on Larger Power Users (LPU) located throughout the City of Johannesburg. Meter installation should take no longer than an hour and will be carried out in consultation with residents.

By 2015, the project’s expected completion date, City Power consumers will be serviced by either conventional prepaid meters or by smart
meters which can operate in a post or pre-paid mode.