The concept of metered and prepaid electricity may be a near reality as the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) has started an equipment test bed in Spanish Wells, Eleuthera. Prepaid metering allows customers to better manage their electricity-use and bills via BTC’s 4G LTE data network.
BTC CEO Leon Williams said, “Prepaid metering is just one of the many examples of the “internet of things”. We are continuing to make the transformation to where our customers are.” It shows how we can use our advanced network to provide more convenience to the public. We are aware that there are hundreds of Bahamians with no electricity. By using a smart grid prepaid meter, customers can top up their account and monitor their usage. The system can even be designed to allow you to incrementally pay on your existing electricity bill. It will be a win/win situation for the electricity provider and the customer. We have been working with St. George’s Cay Power Limited on this ‘proof of concept’, (POC).”
CEO at St. George’s Cay Power Limited said, “We have been using the BTC prepaid metering solution for about a month now, and so far everything is going well. We have two meters that we are testing. In Spanish Wells we have several business owners that operate rental units. Prepaid metering will be beneficial to these customers as renters will be responsible for their power usage. I’m certain that it will also be beneficial for persons that may have problems paying for electricity.”…
prepaid
Finance scheme for prepaid meters
The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) and Ecobank Nigeria Limited have partnered to deploy prepaid meters to electricity consumers in Nigeria. The meter rollout is being facilitated by the Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI) scheme.
According to EEDC, they are offering two types of meters including: a single phase smart meter with a split unit, which goes for N39,375 ($198) and a 3-phase smart meter with a split unit, which goes for N68,901 ($346). These costs are inclusive of installation cost.
“The cost of acquiring the meter and meter box (N30,100 for single phase and N55,720 ($280) for 3-Phase) will be paid back to the customers in the form of energy recharge, over a period of 36 months, at 12% interest rate.
“However, customers are expected to vend at least once a month, while energy (pay back) will be credited monthly,” the distribution company concluded.
After adequate assessment of the customer’s premises, the engineers will determine the appropriate meter that will be installed for the customers, the company added…..
Full Article: Nigeria launches finance scheme for prepaid meters | ESI-Africa.com