BPC smart meters face technical problems

BAME PIET
Staff Writer | Friday February 25, 2011 00:00

This caused the installation project to be halted prematurely around October-November last year. After the installation of the meters, consumers found themselves saddled with astronomical electricity bills courtesy of a malfunction of the new system.

The response of BPC has been that the bills covered three months during which the smart meters did not capture data on usage.

However, Mmegi has established that the corporation could be facing serious technical problems with the new meters and this has forced it to issue estimated bills. The problem is likely to continue for months. It is understood some of the smart meters were not compatible with the electricity systems in some houses and caused a malfunction in data collection.

Through the project, BPC was to replace 80,000 meters in Gaborone, Francistown, Selebi-Phikwe and Jwaneng. It is said that 17 companies were engaged last year for the project by a consultant hired by BPC. Through the smart meters, BPC can switch off geysers from their control room to save electricity during peak consumption. Sources said companies were paid P150 for a smart meter installed.

The installation in a house with a geyser takes about one hour. The job takes about 20 minutes in a house with no geyser. Sources familiar with the project said that since it took a few minutes to replace a meter, companies tried to maximise by covering as many houses as quickly as possible and in the process many things were not done right.

It is understood that the BPC and the consultant are unable to come up with a solution to the technical problem.Hence another consultant has been brought in to deal with the matter. 'We don't know how long it is going to take them to find the solution but it is clear it won't be in the near future,' a source said.

The consultant engaged by BPC said he could not talk without authorisation from the corporation.

BPC spokesperson, Tlhomamiso Selato was not available for comment at time of going to press. She said she was in a meeting and would call later but never did.

Meanwhile, BPC announced this week that it intends to hike electricity tariffs either in April or May. Cabinet is said to be discussing the increment, which is going to be in the region of 30 percent. The acting Vice President Ponatshego Kedikilwe, whose Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources is responsible for electricity could not be reached for comment. Access to the minister has been limited ever since he started acting position as Vice President.