Nearly five million prepaid electricity meters around South Africa could stop working from 24 November because they are using old software.
The meters will fail because of a data rollover problem. Customers will only be able to buy electricity if the meters are updated by 24 November.
Most meters that need to be updated are in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.
Some areas, like Cape Town, started updating meters in 2021, but others, including Johannesburg, only began last year. Some smaller municipalities still need to start.
Eskom is responsible for 6.9 million meters. Municipalities are responsible for 4.8 million meters, with 4.7 million still at risk across South Africa, News24 reported.
The percentage of meters that have been updated in the nine provinces so far are as follows:
- Western Cape: 89%.
- Northern Cape: 67%.
- Free State: 63%.
- Limpopo: 62%.
- North West: 57%.
- Gauteng: 55%.
- Mpumalanga: 54%.
- Eastern Cape: 53%.
- KwaZulu-Natal: 48%.
Some areas, like Ekurhuleni, have made good progress, with 91% updated, but only 49% have been updated in Johannesburg.
About 33,000 meters need to be updated daily to meet the deadline.
City officials in eThekwini and Johannesburg are confident they will meet the deadline despite challenges with meters that still need to be updated because the users have illegal connections to avoid paying for electricity.
If people are unable to buy electricity for their prepaid meters, this will negatively impact municipal revenue.
Compiled by Staff Writer
Pictured above: Prepaid electricity meter.
Source: Knysna Municipality
