Kenya Power and Lighting Company PLC (Kenya Power) will roll out a smart meter project for 55,000 customers in the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector in the East African country.
Kenya Power owns and operates most of the electricity transmission and distribution system in the country. The $11,012,173 (Kshs1,250,000,000) World Bank-funded project is part of the Kenya Electricity Modernisation Project. The plan is to have all the smart meters rolled out by 30 June.
These particular smart meters are part of Advanced Metering Infrastructures (AMI) that will facilitate 2-way communication between the company and customers. In case of any outages, the smart meters are able to communicate directly with the company’s National Contact Centre. This direct communication facilitates immediate resolution and enhances efficiency as the Kenya Power teams are promptly alerted. The smart meter will also send a notification to the customer via SMS.
Bernard Ngugi, Kenya Power Managing Director/CEO: “These combined benefits of error-free data, prompt network problem identification, and audit of energy consumption will go a long way in enhancing service delivery to our customers in the SME sector.”
“We believe that the advanced metering technology will further enhance customer satisfaction based on the visibility and prompt detection of power usage and also reduce technical losses which are key to ensuring reliable and quality supply of power.”
Smart meters are emerging as a game-changer able to revitalise the electricity industry across Africa. The meters help to improve customer service and are laying a foundation for a new and innovative African utility business model.
