The first wave of those going live in Extension One started on 1 August this week and the roughly 1000 target is envisaged for completion by 18 August, said BXC project manager Dawid Dirks.
The going live phase follows weeks of infrastructure, IT and logistical preparations by BXC in Extension One and from its operational centre in Vanderbijlpark, from where the world-class project is directed.
But reactivated smart meter account holders are urged not to buy pre-paid electricity before receiving their going live SMS, said Dirks.
ALERT: Smart meter clients must first SMS their meter number to 32904 (digits only) once-off to be registered on a separate vending portal. This is in addition to registering on the existing BXC customer portal https://bxcsa.co.za/global/ to verify details.
Emfuleni is currently the only municipality in Gauteng with a functional smart meter programme, and BXC is now upgrading and reactivating its original multi-billion rand infrastructure after the initial process stopped mid-2019.
Those accounts now being reactivated and going live from this week are amongst around 7000 smart meters already installed around Emfuleni in the earlier project. Extension One in Three Rivers in thus the starter phase for reactivation of the already-installed smart meters.
No widespread new installations are presently taking place in this phase, said Dirks.
Those clients reactivated and notified per SMS this month will also find R275 credit reflecting immediately on their smart meter account. This is on-boarding credit, and not to be confused with a hidden or extra cost or tariff either – to tide you over till you can fuel your own account.
BXC will recover the pre-load R275 – and only this amount – from subsequent pre-purchases made.
Smart meter account holders who owe ELM money – or who are in dispute with them – before the present activation will be included in this phase with the municipality dealing directly with such clients owing them.
Dirks said pre-paid smart meter account holders are also welcome to make a direct appointment with at BXC offices in Vanderbijlpark by using 016 100 6170.
Dirks explained the mechanics of migrating from post-paid accounts to pre-paid smart meters:
“When we transfer customers to pre-paid we close the post-paid account on that date (in this case target from 1 August to 18 August 2022 for Extension One, Three Rivers).
“Amounts still in arrears with ELM will still be with ELM and they will deal separately with the customer in recovering the outstanding funds but it will NOT be through your smart meter,” said Dirks.
