A Kenya Power worker reads power meters. Kenya Power has invested
hundreds of millions of shillings in the installation of outdoor meters
to enhance revenue collection. PHOTO | FILE
The programme will see 5,600 outdoor ‘smart’ meters installed outside the premises of large consumers to allow for inspection of nearby in-house smart meters without accessing the consumer's premises.
Acting general manager for Customer Service Engineer Rosemary Oduor said that outdoor metering was aimed at reducing operational costs where meters will be read remotely and consequently enhance revenue collection from electricity sales.
Smart meters support two-way communication between Kenya Power and the meters making it possible to carry out real time monitoring of energy consumption remotely where any anomalies or tampering will be promptly detected and acted upon.
Large power consumers account for about 55 per cent of Kenya Power’s revenue.
READ: Electricity leakages and theft cost Kenya Power Sh17bn
Ms Oduor said metering would also be spread to all users in the near future thereby enabling Kenya Power easy access to a customer’s consumption as well as access payments’ schedule real-time.
Nearly 80pc
The outdoor metering project will enhance security at all premises whereby smart meters will be installed atop a pole outside the premises enabling Kenya Power staff to read and inspect the meter without disturbing the customers.
Nearly 80 per cent of large power consumers have been connected to outdoor meters as Kenya Power moves to deepen use of technology to enhance efficiency.
“With the technology, it is also possible to read meters remotely, disconnect and reconnect remotely in the event of non-payment, reducing the need for sending technicians to site,” said engineer Oduor.
The company is spending an estimated for Sh3.2 billion in the installation of both inhouse and outdoor meters across the country
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