Conlog, South Africa’s leading smart metering OEM, has secured the RT29-2024 contract from National Treasury – a major milestone in the effort of modernising the country’s utility infrastructure.
This three-year national contract brings advanced smart metering solutions to municipalities across the country, with the aim of improving service delivery, strengthening revenue management and supporting long-term energy sustainability.
With the utility sector facing ongoing challenges - from load shedding to massive, mounting municipal debt - this rollout couldn’t come at a more critical time.
Smart Meters on the Ground: Where the Rollout Has Begun
Implementation is already underway in key municipalities. So far, 6,750 meters have been installed in Dihlabeng (Free State), and 13,500 in Emalahleni (Mpumalanga). These numbers are just the beginning, with installations set to increase steadily as more municipalities come on board.
Each new meter represents more than just a hardware upgrade - it’s a step toward smarter energy usage, better control for consumers and much-needed financial support for municipalities.
Built for Real Impact: What Smart Metering Delivers
Conlog’s smart meters under the RT29 contract deliver tangible benefits to both municipalities and residents. Key features include:
- Accurate billing – No more estimated readings; customers are charged only for what they use
- Real-time usage visibility – Consumers can monitor and manage energy consumption with confidence
- Tamper detection and theft reduction – Improved security helps ensure fair usage across the board
- Advanced load management – Municipalities gain better control over demand, helping reduce the risk of load shedding
- Improved revenue collection – Municipalities can track and recover revenue more effectively
These benefits go beyond convenience. With municipal debt to Eskom reaching R58.5 billion and unpaid customer bills at R348 billion, effective metering is critical. Early results already show promise — this rollout is generating over R5 million in additional revenue for municipalities each month.
The Technology at the Core: Meet the APEX Smart Meter
Driving this transformation is Conlog’s APEX smart meter - a locally designed, globally certified solution built for the real-world challenges of South African infrastructure. The APEX series, including the iDM.APEX1R and iDM.APEX3R models, offer:
- Cellular connectivity – Enabling real-time data monitoring and faster response times
- IoT-enabled architecture – Seamless integration with modern grid management systems
- Multi-layer security and compliance – Meeting stringent international standards
- User-friendly interfaces – Making it easier for consumers to access and understand their usage
These meters don’t just collect data — they empower users and utilities to make smarter decisions, reduce waste, and improve overall service reliability.
Designed and Manufactured in South Africa, for South Africa
Conlog’s success with the RT29 tender goes far beyond the technology itself. As a proudly South African company headquartered in Durban, Conlog is deeply committed to local manufacturing, skills development and economic transformation.
Its meters are engineered to perform in harsh local conditions and are produced locally - supporting job creation and industrial growth. The company also runs training programmes to equip contractors and municipal staff with the knowledge they need to implement and maintain these systems effectively.
“We’ve created jobs, and we have the opportunity to create even more through this panel,” said Moodley. “Our technology addresses both the technical demands of energy management and the economic needs of the sector.”
A Smarter, More Sustainable Energy Landscape
The RT29 contract represents more than a procurement win — it marks the beginning of a smarter, more responsive utility future for South Africa. By blending advanced technology with a people-first approach, Conlog is laying the groundwork for greater transparency, improved service, and financial sustainability across the board.
For municipalities and consumers alike, this smart metering rollout signals a new era in energy and water management: one defined by control, efficiency and long-term resilience.
Want to Learn More?
For more information on Conlog’s smart metering solutions and the RT29 rollout, contact us at [email protected] or visit Conlog’s website: https://conlog.com/