The adoption of Smart metering is one of the latest initiative by the Sol Plaatjie Municipality to modernise its electricity infrastructure.

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This has been made possible through grant funding from National Treasury as part of the RT29 transversal contract. In partnership with Macrocomm, Ontec and Vodacom, the municipality is leading the charge, playing a key role in upgrading outdated electricity meters to a smarter, more efficient system. This project not only represents a significant technological leap, but also promises to improve municipal revenue collection, protect existing income streams and enhance overall revenue management.

The conversion to smart metering brings numerous benefits for both the municipality and its residents. For one, the upgrade in infrastructure provides greater visibility into electricity usage, resulting in more accurate billing and a more streamlined utility management process. Smart meters also serve as a powerful tool against electricity theft through the bypassing of meters, a persistent issue in many regions. Ghost vendors and other illegal activities that divert funds meant for the municipality can be swiftly identified and mitigated through this advanced technology, ensuring that the municipality collects revenue to improve service delivery.

As part of this modernisation, smart metering ensures that billing is both accurate and transparent, allowing residents to pay for exactly what they consume while giving the municipality a clearer picture of its income. This, in turn, bolsters the municipality’s ability to collect revenue more effectively and prevents the kind of financial mismanagement that has plagued other areas. With the enhanced ability to track usage and prevent tampering, municipalities can protect their revenue while delivering a reliable service to their communities.

A key element of this project is the focus on data integrity. This data allows municipalities to make informed decisions about utility management and identify areas for improvement. We will be updating the customer data through this process.

However, the success of a project like this goes beyond technology. It requires strong collaboration between the private sector, government entities and the community. Change management is key to addressing concerns from residents about the impact of these new systems. With open communication and co-ordinated efforts, municipalities can implement smart meters without causing disruption to their residents' daily lives, ultimately gaining their support in the long run.

The community further benefits from our skills transfer and localised job creation programmes. 
As South Africa continues to face challenges with its national grid, the importance of smart metering becomes even more apparent. With every smart meter installed, municipalities take a step towards stabilising the grid and reducing crime. The process is simple, safe and effective, offering a clear path to revenue protection and enhancement. By embracing these technologies and working together, the people of South Africa will enjoy an improved quality of life, municipalities will see financial stability and the national grid will benefit from reduced strain. In essence, it’s about keeping the lights on, one smart meter at a time.