New smart meters: What’s true, what’s not

KIMBERLEY residents are seeing a major shift in electricity management as Sol Plaatje Municipality rolls out new smart prepaid electricity meters across the city. But with change comes confusion - and in some cases, outright misinformation.

Social media has been flooded with claims that the new meters are inflating electricity consumption, that installers are unqualified, and that the system isn’t properly certified. The municipality, however, insists that the project is safe, transparent, and necessary to modernise the city’s energy infrastructure.

Here’s what’s really happening - and what you need to know.

Why Smart Meters?

The R100 million project, funded by a National Treasury indirect grant, aims to reduce electricity losses, modernise infrastructure, and give consumers better control over their power usage.

With over 90% of the targeted 12,500 meters already installed, Sol Plaatje Municipality is nearing completion of the roll-out. According to municipal spokesperson Thabo Mothibi, the initiative is a crucial step toward the city's "Smart City" vision.

“These meters will significantly reduce electricity wastage, eliminate interim billing, and provide residents with real-time access to their consumption data via a mobile app,” Mothibi explained. “For the municipality, they help curb electricity losses in the distribution network and serve as an automatic fault detection system, ensuring faster response times and improved service delivery.”

Is Your Electricity Usage Higher?

One of the biggest concerns raised by residents is that their electricity consumption appears to have doubled or even tripled since switching to smart meters. Others, however, report no noticeable change.

Mothibi acknowledged these concerns but assured residents that the municipality will provide back-end support for the next three years to resolve any issues.

Residents who suspect that their meters are consuming excessive power are encouraged to contact the municipality, which will conduct checks and tests to identify and address any faults, said Mothibi.

He also noted that to ensure transparency, the municipality has used multiple communication channels to inform residents about the roll-out. “We have placed full-page advertisements in the DFA newspaper, and residents can contact us via e-mail at prepaid@solplaatje.org.za, call 080 122 9010, or visit our website for frequently asked questions,” Mothibi said.

He also warned against misinformation being spread on social media. “We have seen individuals resorting to scaremongering and false claims. We urge residents to get their information directly from official municipal sources,” he added.

Are Smart Meters Mandatory?

Some residents have questioned whether they can opt out of the installation. The short answer? No.

“It is compulsory,” Mothibi confirmed. “The infrastructure is an asset of the municipality.

With over 48,000 prepaid electricity meters currently in use - many of them old, faulty, or tampered with - the municipality sees the smart meter project as a necessary intervention.

Despite some pushback, there has been strong support in certain areas, particularly in South Ridge, Mothibi noted, where ward councillor Marie Beylefeld has played a key role in raising awareness.

“Many residents have been supportive of this initiative and understand its importance in creating a sustainable and efficient living environment,” he said.

Who Installed These Meters - And Are They Qualified?

Concerns have also been raised about the competency of installers.

Mothibi assured residents that all installers are fully qualified and hold the necessary certifications.

“Many of them have experience installing smart meters in other parts of the country. Local electricians were also carefully screened to ensure their knowledge of electricity safety and regulations.”

Regarding compliance, Mothibi explained that a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) is not required for these installations, as the distribution box is not tampered with. “This has been verified with the Department of Labour,” he said.

Are These Meters SABS-Approved?

Some residents have questioned whether the new smart meters are SABS-approved, as no markings appear on the units themselves. Mothibi clarified that the two suppliers, Hexing and Conlog, are global leaders in prepaid metering with facilities accredited for health and safety standards.

“These companies conform to a wide range of industry compliance standards,” he explained. “Conlog was awarded a smart prepaid electricity meter contract by the National Treasury in September 2024, which confirms that its products are proudly South African and SABS approved.”

Looking Ahead

The smart meter roll-out began in mid-November 2024 but faced some delays due to the festive season break. The municipality, however, is satisfied with the progress so far and hopes to secure additional funding to expand the project.

“We still have thousands of replacements to complete, and electricity losses remain a critical issue,” Mothibi said. “However, we are encouraged by the overwhelming responsiveness from prepaid customers.”

Residents with questions or concerns are encouraged to reach out to the municipality rather than rely on misinformation spreading online.

With a clear vision for modernised energy management, the Sol Plaatje Municipality believes this initiative will not only improve service delivery but also contribute to a more sustainable and efficient future for Kimberley.

Change is never easy, and scepticism is natural. But as smart meters become the new standard, residents will have to adapt to the technology - and ensure they’re getting the right information from trusted sources.