The expansion, with at least 12 000 new electricity and 5 000 water smart meters, is an integral part of  the Emfuleni Local Municipality’s (ELM) financial turn-around plan with National Treasury, which demands smart meters for paying ELM’s huge R7 billion Eskom debt.

Another key goal of the project is to banish the perception that smart meter electricity costs more than other meters – with service provider BXC again sending its meters for independent testing by an impartial test facility away from Emfuleni.

ELM Councillors will also be expected to throw their weight and that of their Ward Committees behind a public education drive and will also wherever possible have smart water and electricity meters installed at their homes and residences before the public and to lead by example.

Councillors will also be expected to sign a strict Code of Conduct on smart meters along with BXC staff and ELM personnel involved to ensure that resident’s rights to privacy and security are respected at all times.

ELM and BXC are both adamant that the perception of overcharging is caused by complex tariff structures combined with winter power rates that have just kicked in beginning June.

BXC already has almost 3 000 meters installed in Three Rivers, Vereeniging, and certain areas of Vanderbijlpark.

Vaalweekblad has learned  that the kick-off date for new installations will be round the beginning of July, with an intensive marketing research and information campaign preceding that.

The exact location for new installations is not yet known.

Councillors are also set to be informed of the new drive early this coming week, with a mass meeting of these elected representatives and even further specialist training on the cards for them and business leaders in due course, say ELM sources.

The campaign will will also include an independent Whistle-blower programme designed to educate and prevent smart meter by-passing after installations – a key revenue risk management factor to curb power theft and infrastructure vandalism.

The benefits of smart meters for the public include managing your own water and electricity account and picking up fast if someone is stealing your power.