Relief for customers as Kenya Power begin purchase of over 700,000 meters
Kenya Power has kick started its move to purchase 736,697 electricity meters from local manufacturers in bid to address the stinging commodity shortage for the new meters, replacement of faulty and stolen ones for the next two years.
Currently, prices of meters from the utility firm which have so far been extinct are allegedly going at Sh8,000 from Sh2,000 last year making it difficult for customers in need of the item.
The utility firm rapidly connecting more customers to the grid, forcing new customers to wait long to get the gadgets has been on the receiving end in recent months as it strives to keep up with the demand for meters which by December last year crossed the nine million customer mark.
Kenya Power said the demand for meters is set to rise even further as the company connects at least 500,000 new customers for power annually.
Even though the tender for the new meters is limited to local manufacturers, local suppliers including Magnate Ventures Ltd, Smart Meters Technology Ltd, Shenzhen Star Instrument Company Ltd and Inhemeter Africa Company Ltd recently battled in court with the firm protesting over tough measures citing the terms favourable to foreign companies as it bid to procure meters worth Sh2 billion which saw the process delayed for months.
Among the terms and the requirement for a successful bidder were that the bidding company should have a minimum of 15 years of technical specifications experience in the manufacture of energy meters which the bidders deemed unlawful and biased.
The utility firm through its latest annual report showed that it is banking on the purchase of smart meters from the suppliers which the firm says has increased accuracy in meter readings, enabled prompt billing and reduced energy pilferage and seen effective to increase sales.
“An analysis of sales over a period of four months on 62,807 installed smart meters showed an increase in sales by 8 per cent,” stated Kenya Power.
Kenya power together with the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) among other key players are currently conducting public consultative workshops before adjourning for a resolution from the collected views from stakeholders on the proposed retail tariff application (RTA) which proposes increase of electricity prices as it strives to increase on revenue collections.
