Eskom says it wishes to give clarity on the switch over process of electricity meters which in some extent has caused a disturbance in the community.
Residents have a problem with the switch over in the form of split prepaid metering since they claim to be paying a lot of money for electricity and that it doesn’t last.
Eskom Soweto spokesperson, Reneiloe Semenya, says the infrastructure programme sets to address the electricity challenges households face as the split metering will help to ensure a stable and reliable power supply, and will put control over power usage in the hands of the customer.
Semenya says the current infrastructure is old and in some instances vandalised.
She says the objective of this new infrastructure upgrade programme is to address challenges such as;
– Constant outages caused by overloading especially in winter.
– Electrocutions among children that are caused by vandalised and exposed live wires.
– Easy access to the Eskom electrical infrastructure which leads to illegal connections.
– Non-payment of electricity consumed.
Semenya said: “This infrastructure upgrade programme will provide a more stable and reliable electricity supply to homes, help keep the lights on, and power economic growth and job creation.”
She said it is predicted that the high level of power outages currently suffered by communities, high household debt on electricity accounts, safety risks and electricity theft will reduce significantly.
Dobsonville Extension One has 126 households switched, of which 120 choosing split prepaid metering and six choosing split conventional metering.
Dobsonville Extension Two has 233 households switched, of which 221 choosing split prepaid metering and 12 choosing conventional.
