Technical solutions for pre-payment metering systems for Southern Africa

The authors describes Eskom's contribution to the local development of prepayment metering systems for the specific conditions encountered in Southern Africa. Over the next five to seven years 750,000 prepayment metering systems will be installed in South Africa by Eskom. The overall goal of 3,000,000 prepayment systems will be installed together with other bodies over this period. It is concluded that the concept of prepayment of electricity is technically acceptable to most customers and in fact preferable for many. However, an acceptable level of customer service is essential for its success. The performance of the prepayment systems is proving to be acceptable.