In Gauteng Eskom has embarked on an Eskom Operational Efficiency Service Level Improvement Programme (EOESLIP) focusing mainly on Soweto, Kagiso and surrounding areas as well as Midrand and Sandton.
The programme comprises several initiatives, firstly, decreasing energy losses by removing illegal connections, conducting meter audits, rectifying faulty or tampered meters and curbing ghost vending by introducing new supply group codes. Secondly, installing split smart prepaid meters within protective enclosures to prevent tampering, as well as bulk meters on supplies to hostels and entering into supply agreements with the owners. Eskom will also improve payment levels by stepping up disconnections for customers not honouring their current accounts. And lastly we will increase debt collection from businesses by stepping up disconnections, entering into payment arrangements for arrears and installing split prepaid meters.
The rollout of smart prepaid meters is progressing well, with 17 527 conventional meters in Soweto and 3 026 in Kagiso being converted to prepaid at 31 March 2016. A total of 5 992 smart meters were installed in Sandton and Midrand, while the conversion to prepaid will resume this month.
Since inception, the conversion of meters to prepaid has improved revenue collected by R61 M. Furthermore, conversions have resulted in an increase in revenue billed from R0,2 M per month in July 2014 to R4 M in March 2016, as demand is now being metered, as well as a drop in energy demand, due to customers now having to pay for their consumption.
Enquiries: Email: mediadesk@eskom.co.za
