The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Smart meters

  • Power firm donates smart meters

    An energy distribution firm,  PAKTIM, has donated free smart meters to distribution companies (DisCos).

    Its Director, Prince Larry Adesida said the company is committed to the growth of the energy sector by providing advanced solutions to tackle the challenges.

    “Given Nigeria’s unique terrain where many of the rural settlements have dwellers who are often times, financially incapable of purchasing and installing these smart meters, PAKTIM has resolved – as one of the tenets of its corporate social responsibility – to provide up to ten percent of electricity meters procured by the DisCos on a pro bono basis,” he said.

    He said prior to the launch of Meter Asset Provider (MAP) Scheme by the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the firm had been solving   the challenges that various DisCos had in purchasing electricity meters on a “cash-and-carry,” basis.

    Adesida said with that development, the country is set to witness advances in the energy sector. According to him,  for over a decade, PAKTIM has consistently played immense role in ensuring the sector is at par with modern international standard.

    He said the company has worked with the DisCos, offering them vendor financing which meant greater, more positive cash flow for the DisCos in providing the services that Nigerians dearly require.’

    Adesina appealed to the Federal Government to implement a process that prosecutes any person found guilty of using smart meters and energy illegally.

  • Ikeja Electric begins installation of smart meters

    The management of Ikeja Electric on Wednesday said the company was set to embark on massive installation of smart meters within the zone in September.

    Mr Abiodun Ajifowobaje, the Chief Executive Officer, announced this at a consultation meeting on tariff review with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), professional bodies and association in Lagos.

    Ajifowobaje said that the company had installed 2,120 smart meters in August to its numerous consumers free of charge as a pilot scheme in all the units of the company.

    He said that the aim of the scheme was to eliminate estimated billing and ensure that all consumers within the zone were metered.

    Ajifowobaje said that it was pathetic that 24 out of 2,120 meters installed by the company had been bypassed by consumers.

    “When we came on board in Nov. 1, 2013, we discovered that out of 138,000 prepaid meters installed, 78,000 meters were bypassed by consumers within the zone.

    “This was the reason why we introduced smart meters, because we can easily identify any of our consumers that bypasses it.

    “As I am speaking to you now, 24 meters out of the 2,120 meters installed in August have been bypassed and I can see it from my office,” he said.

    The chief executive officer urged the associations to embrace the tariff review by the company to promote uninterrupted power supply.

    He lamented that energy consumption was being subsidised by the government before the privatisation, adding that they were running the company at a loss.

    Ajifowobaje said that out of 100 per cent billing sent out by the company, 60 per cent went to Generation Companies (GENCOS), 25 per cent to Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) while it was left with 15 per cent.

    He said that what would be left could not guarantee adequate power supply to the numerous consumers.

    The chief executive officer said there would be an increase in tariff but it would come down later.

    Responding, Mr Ambrose Uche, the Chairman, Ikeja Branch of MAN, said that the association was not ready to dialogue with the company because the tariff review case was in court.

    Uche said that the case would come up on Sept. 29 in Lagos.

    He urged the company to allow court to decide on the issue before deliberating on it.

    The chairman said that MAN could not operate on a tariff that would be changing all the time.

     

  • Ikeja Electric spends N21b on smart meters

    Ikeja Electric spends N21b on smart meters

    •Pilot installation begins June 

    CUSTOMERS without prepaid meters may soon have cause to smile. The Ikeja Electric Distribution Company (IKEDC) has bought about 276,084 smart meters for $ 106 million (about N21.09 billion) for its residential, commercial and industrial customers. The meters will be deployed in phases, said IKEDC Chief Executive Officer, Abiodun Agifowobaje.

    At the unveiling of the meters in Lagos, Agifowobaje said the installation’s pilot scheme would run from next month to July.

    The success of the pilot scheme would determine how fast the implementation would be. Areas slated for the pilot scheme are  Abule-Egba, Akowonjo, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Oshodi and Shomolu, adding that the scheme will be carried out with 2000 customers.

    According to him, the roll out represents a remarkable step in the company’s quest for redefining service delivery in the sector. “This development resonates with our new spirit, new drive and new energy identity, as we strive to create value for our customers,” he said.

    The metering programme tagged: “Ikeja Electric’s Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI)”, he said, is a state-of-the-art technology that enables utilities to read, disconnect and connect meters remotely it will also detect individual customer outages quickly using a wireless communications network. Under the project, he said, today’s electric meters would be replaced with “next generation” electronic meter technology that improves customer service and enables customers to proactively manage their energy use and save money by participating in new programs with time differentiated rates and demand response options.

    Aside accurate consumption information, the advanced metering system is capable of collecting  other data such as power outage, restoration alerts and meter tampering data to detect theft of energy, he said.

    Ajifowobaje said the company chose to introduce smart meters because of their benefits to customers, adding that they will guarantee accurate reading without estimate and enhance  security of equipment.

    To the customers, he said the estimation would eradicated through improved billing, adding: “Customers will also be able to track the usage of electricity and eliminate energy wastage.”

    Ajifowobaje appealed to  customers to support the project to ensure hitch-free deployment and adopt an ownership attitude that will ensure the protection of their meters and other equipment within their localities.

     

  • ‘Smart meters ‘ll address estimated billing, others’

    The management of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Plc now known as Ikeja Electric,  has said  the planned introduction of smart metering infrastructure will ultimately address the problem of estimated billing and energy theft. The meters will also enable prompt and improved response to vandalism of power distribution facilities.

    Speaking during a customer forum in Lagos, its Managing Director/Chief Executive, Abiodun Ajifowobaje , said the necessary financial and technical commitment needed to achieve new metering regime has since been put in place. “We have and will continue to make investments in this regard and assure all our customers that the impending roll-out of smart meters will drive effective and transparent billing system within the network. We will surely work with all customers to ensure the success of the project even as we remain committed to continued engagements on the issue of estimated billing,” he said.

    Ikeja Electric, he said, has concluded a comprehensive study and technical evaluation of the network through the assistance of its technical partner, Korean Electricity Power Company (KEPCO). The company is also carrying out Asset GIS mapping and customer enumeration. The completion of these exercises will facilitate effective planning for future development and reduction of technical and commercial loss levels.

    Its Head, Communication Strategy, Pekun Adeyanju in a statement, said Ajifowobaje told the customers that Ikeja Electric has introduced  new payment channels, which have made payment of electricity bills easy and less stressful. With the introduction of such new services, some operational glitches will be brought to the attention of management and promptly addressed. He further added that customers can always reach its contact centre through the dedicated helplines  07000225543, 014483900, or email:customercare@ikejaelectric,com for prompt solutions to queries and enquiries.

    The Ikeja Electric chief attributed the drop in power supply to low allocation of power to the company from the national grid. He craved the  understanding of customers saying Ikeja Electric remains committed to equitable distribution of the power it receives from the grid.

    “Ikeja Electric requires at least 1,250 megawatts (Mw) to effectively serve customers within its network, but we consistently receive only about 400Mw for the past two weeks. You all are aware of the gas challenges as well as the activities of vandals. The government and stakeholders in the sector are  working assiduously to  tackle these issues and ultimately with the reform, we will transform power supply in Nigeria.

    “Equipment vandalism remains one of the greatest factors militating against stable  power supply within the network of the company.  In 2015 alone, over 70 transformers have been lost to vandalism within Ikeja Electric’s network,” he said.

    Ajifowobaje decried the increase in vandalism and called on the community to assist the company in stemming the menace. “Whilst we will continue to partner with security agencies to protect our equipment, it is not feasible to man all our equipment across the network for 24 hours a day. We, therefore, call on community leaders through vigilance groups to assist in this regard,” he added.