ECG Launches Smart Prepaid Meter Pilot Project in Suame District

The Electricity Company of Ghana has commenced a pilot project by installing 200 smart prepaid meters in Suame District. Involving 150 single-phase and 50 three-phase meters, this initiative aims to assess the feasibility of widespread adoption in response to high customer demand. The project includes benefits such as online credit purchasing and enhanced monitoring capabilities.

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has installed 200 smart prepaid meters in the Suame District as a pilot initiative. These installations, occurring in Asuoyeboa and Bantama Racecourse, involve 150 single-phase and 50 three-phase meters. This three-month pilot, part of the Loss Reduction Project (LRP), aims to assess the feasibility of a full rollout across the district, which caters to over 120,000 customers.

With this pilot project, non-smart prepaid and faulty meters, alongside some postpaid meters, were replaced at no cost. The initiative is pivotal for Suame District as it is the largest customer base in the Ashanti West Region. Mr. George Amoah, the Ashanti West Regional General Manager of ECG, emphasized the necessity of a dedicated smart prepaid meter system to optimize service for local customers.

The newly installed smart meters include features such as activity recording to detect illegal use. If tampered with, the meters will automatically deactivate, preventing further prepaid credit purchases. To maximize customer satisfaction, ECG is actively monitoring the performance of these meters and ensuring that customers transfer their previous credits to the new systems.

In compliance with the Meter Management System (MMS), these meters enable online prepaid credit purchases, thus saving customers considerable time and resources. Furthermore, they provide real-time consumption data via a User Interface Unit, enhancing user convenience. Mr. Amoah noted that ECG had successfully managed the backlog of meter applications for several districts, including Suame.

Mr. Amoah urged community members to report illegal connections to help combat electricity theft, highlighting a commission incentive for credible information leading to the detection of such activities.

In summary, the installation of 200 smart prepaid meters in Suame District marks a significant advancement in the Electricity Company of Ghana’s efforts to enhance service delivery. The pilot project not only addresses meter issues but also promotes customer engagement through modern technology. ECG’s commitment to combating illegal connections while improving service efficiency underscores the importance of this initiative.

Original Source: gna.org.gh