Smart meter power cost structures explained
The intricacies of interpreting municipal power tariffs were explained to debunk the myth that electricity from smart meters was more expensive than from other meters at the Mayor’s Parlour.
Emfuleni councillors from all political parties were trained on consumer electricity cost concerns surrounding the municipality’s smart meter project, which is set for significant expansion in the coming months.
The intricacies of interpreting municipal power tariffs were explained to debunk the myth that electricity from smart meters was more expensive than from other meters at the Mayor’s Parlour at the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) Head Office in Vanderbijlpark.
BXC smart meter service provider Project Manager Dawid Dirks also informed councillors that ELM’s tariff structure compared favourably to other municipalities.
“The myth that BXC smart meters are more expensive for electricity largely stems from highly complex tariff structures combined with winter rates that people struggle to interpret. Another myth is that BXC is paid for its services from electricity rates, thus making power more expensive — this is absolutely false,” said Dirks.
Dirks added that BXC — now a fully South African-owned and BEE Level One company — was not paid from electricity tariffs but from a flat rate per smart meter installed.
Executive Mayor Sipho Radebe, ELM Speaker Sibongile Soxusa, Chief Whip Silver Jantjie, and Municipal Manager April Ntuli attended the training and information session. Public Works MMC Tumi Mochawe also attended and stated that the smart meter programme would be rolled out in accordance with a formal ELM Council Resolution and councillors were duty-bound to support it.
The initial target area for renewed smart meter installations was not revealed, and a tentative target date of sometime in July was provided.
Councillors, along with business leaders, will also receive more specialised training on smart meter issues with their Ward Committees before the installation process reaches their wards, in preparation for planned public participation meetings on smart meters, said Dirks.
The expansion drive, with at least 12 000 new electricity and 5 000 water smart meters, is an integral part of ELM’s financial turnaround plan with National Treasury, which demands smart meters to address ELM’s substantial R7 billion Eskom debt.
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 residents’ rights to privacy and security are respected at all times.
A new feature added to the campaign will be an independent whistle-blower programme designed to educate and prevent smart meter bypassing after more smart meter installations — a key revenue risk management factor to curb power theft and infrastructure vandalism.
Cooperation mechanisms will be set up with both business organisations and security companies to help secure the installation processes against crime.
Councillors and their Ward Committees will be expected to function as observers within their wards whilst BXC is installed in their areas, sources said.
