KZN smart meters: Eskom addresses common concerns about free installation

The recent announcement by Eskom regarding the commencement of smart meter installations across KwaZulu-Natal has ignited significant public interest.

The programme kicked off on October 6, and aims to modernise the national grid and improve customer experiences, with a staggering 800,000 customers expected to benefit from the rollout.

Eskom plans to install a total of 7.2 million smart meters throughout South Africa over the next three years.

In an effort to engage with the community, Eskom has addressed various enquiries from the public.

The utility clarified that the rollout serves a key objective for both itself and municipalities to empower customers in managing their energy consumption and costs more effectively.

The first area where contractors are already on the ground is Msunduzi Ward 23.

“The local leadership and the community were engaged prior to the arrival of the contractors on the ground. This is a process that will be followed for all areas to ensure communities will be engaged prior to the rollout in their area.”

In order to determine which areas receive the meters, Eskom said it has a database of all its customers, which indicates which customers are using the old generation meters and which are already using smart meters.

“Smart meters will be rolled out to all customers with the old generation meters, and any new applicants will automatically get smart meters installed.”

The power utility said if customers are unavailable during the week due to work, their contractors also work over the weekend.

In addition, it clarified that this rollout programme applies exclusively to direct Eskom customers and not tenants or sub-tenants of Eskom customers.

“If you are an Eskom customer, there is no need to apply. Your meter will be changed as part of the rollout.”

The power utility also reassured customers that the meter replacement would be free of charge.

Eskom emphasised that engaging local leadership and the community before contractors arrive on-site would help prevent opportunistic fraudulent activity, adding that residents can request proof from workers that they are Eskom contractors.

“Please assist the rollout by allowing our contractors access and providing them with the necessary data (name, surname, I.D number, correct telephone/cellphone number) to ensure your new smart meter is registered correctly,” advised Eskom.

Eskom further explained that smart meters give the customer control over their consumption because they allow the customer a real-time view of their consumption to help them manage consumption and control costs.

“Smart meters enable customers to monitor balances, track energy expenditure, and participate in Eskom rewards programmes such as the Demand Response (DR) programme.”

In a DR programme, customers agree to reduce their electricity usage during peak demand times in exchange for financial incentives or other benefits.

If you have any issues regarding the rollout of the smart meters, use these existing channels of communication including:

• Alfred chatbot on WhatsApp at 08600 37566
• USSD: Dial 12037566#
• Email KwaZuluNatal@eskom.co.za

karen.singh@inl.co.za