The electricity situation is no doubt topical in Zimbabwe. We have discussed the subject several times over the past years. There are so many issues pertaining to it that are all pertinent. There is one particular issue that is not often spoken about. It is about commercial or industrial electricity consumers – especially those who consume lots of power. That area has been of concern because there are lots of debts from such consumers. Most of them actually default and that has had disruptive effects on ZESA’s operations. That is why smart metering seems to be the best solution in the future.
ZETDC Partnership With Econet
US$35 Million Smart Metering System
Two subsidiaries of ZESA Holdings and Econet Wireless Zimbabwe have partnered for this intelligent metering system. The ZESA Holdings subsidiary is Zimbabwe Electricity and Transmission Distribution Company (ZETDC). The Econet Wireless Zimbabwe subsidiary is Econet Business Solutions (EBS). In essence, EBS is the technology partner in this partnership. The partnership aims to install 12770 smart meters by June this year. The smart meters will be SIM cards enabled to facilitate two-way communication. The installation of smart meters is actually a global trend right now. Neighbouring South Africa is an example of countries doing the same.
Purpose Of The Smart Metering System
The overall vision of the intelligent metering system is to eliminate debt risks and mitigate power wastages. This will be achieved by ensuring billing is done accurately. The intelligent metering system will also promote efficiency, transparency, and accountability. The smart metering system can eliminate losses – both power and financial. A smart metering system provides power consumption records in real-time. The system also makes it possible to see power consumption over time. This is useful in studying usage trends that can inform strategic power-related decisions.
“Smart meters track energy usage down to the unit, making billing more accurate and helping consumers keep a tight control of their spend, by ensuring they only pay for the electricity they actually use.”
Engineer Wilfred Shereni (ZETDC Smart And Prepayment Meter Project Manager)
Let us look at remarks from some key executives from ZETDC and EBS:
Dr Jimmy Shindi – EBS Executive
“We are confident that this partnership will build and leverage the strengths and assets of both companies to establish a more sustainable energy grid. We want to work with ZESA in many other digital areas in the development of our economy. We believe that this relationship will benefit not only the two organizations but other stakeholders in the country as well”.
Engineer Ralph Katsande – ZETDC Acting Managing Director
“This is a game-changing technology for us as a business and to our customers and partners. We are in a long-term win-win partnership with our customers. And today we are happy to be with Econet who also more than a partner, are not only a consumer, but also a player in the technology sector. We are excited that Econet has come on-board, and I have no doubt that they will enjoy the benefits that come with this technology”.
ZETDC Partnership With NetOne
ZETDC has also partnered with NetOne for smart metering. The target of the partnership is to install 17000 in Zimbabwe by the end of 2023. Here are some noteworthy remarks from NetOne executives:
Mr Jeremiah Munembe – NetOne Chief Operating Officer
“With this technology base station visits are going to be fewer. We sometimes have incidents where we have lightning strikes at the base stations and if hit by lightning we cannot retrieve our units and in terms of data management and the like. With this smart initiative there is much improved data management and we can track our units usage. For us and from an operational point of view, we see a lot of savings, as well as flexibility for us to monitor and manage our use of electricity”.
Mr Learnmore Musunda – NetOne Mobile Financial Services General Manager
“The provision of smart cities is also captured in the National Development Strategy (NDS1). This will also see NetOne and ZETDC improve customer services in an innovative way. ZETDC is leading the transformation of the distribution of electricity to customers. The launch of smart meters is going to provide convenience to our customers”.
Both partnerships have timelines for this year. Thus by the time the year ends, we should see the fruits of smart metering systems. Smart metering enhances power consumption awareness. This, in turn, leads to frugal energy consumption. By design, smart meters should reduce the waste of energy. That is why it will be interesting to see how the rollouts fare as the year progresses.
Smart metering and smart cities alluded to by netone, THE LINK??
Smart metering could have been given to IT companies and leave telecom companies to provide sim cards, which is their business.
The price of the technology must be subjected to auditor general Chiri’s art to ensure there is no over charging to cover kick backs for the senior executives.
Govt, through ministry of finance, should not be excited about the technology and overlook the fact that it is under such excitement that these private companies charge an arm and a leg for simple equipment that should not cost that much.
Remember the parliament laptops saga!
These ones are active, highly potential excessive charge contracts that can stalk inflation that affects everyone at end of day.
A sim card cost $0.50. Smart meters cost <$150.00. Software per unit should reduce to an insignificant cost. Where is the per unit cost of uS$2 740.80 coming from vs an estmated cost of <US$200.00?
Instead of commenting on the technical and customer experience aspects, the finance executives of zetdc should have shared on the per unit cost that builds up to the contract price of $35 million for econet's 12770 meters.
What is the loot for netone's 17 000 units? The amount was deliverately omitted I guess.
The ministry of finance should open its eyes to these big corporates contracts in the same way they do to small contracts they allege overcharge parastals and govt departments.
There is bigger money here for the bigger fish than meets the eye.