Source: Metering and Smart Energy International, Article: Nicholas Nhede
Nigerian utility EEDC is launching a GIS system to map its distribution network and all metering points within its service territory
In West Africa, Nigerian utility Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has launched an integrated network improvement programme aimed at upgrading the utility’s mapping and metering system.
According to a local news source, the programme includes the implementation of a GIS system beginning this week, which will pave the way for a smart meter rollout project in five states in eastern Nigeria.
EEDC’s principal communication manager Eugene Aniowo said the GIS programme will provide a digital map that will be used to develop a comprehensive addressing system, with the postcodes of the entire south-east region of Nigeria.
The system will also identify and provide a record of assets and consumers within the EEDC network in Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo and Abia.
EEDC will install smart meters to metering points detected by the GIS system, Metering & Smart Energy International has learnt.
The GIS system will also provide benefit to the region’s navigational system and enhance security through the tracking of criminals.
CAPMI meter scheme
The news comes as Nigeria inches towards metering all customers.
Lagos electricity distribution company Eko is urging consumers to utilise the Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI) scheme to install smart meters on their premises ahead of a wider scale roll-out, reported Business Day last week.
The aim of CAPMI is as a stop-gap measure prior to the smart metering programme supposed to meter all Eko customers by 2018.
Eko managing director and CEO Oladele Amoda said the CAPMI programme asks customers to pay upfront for the meter and installation, and receive a refund through their electricity bills.
Smart metering in West Africa
In other African smart meter news, the Ashanti regional office of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has begun a pre-installation survey of all government institutions and agencies to assess the viability of the deployment of smart prepaid meters to reduce the government’s indebtedness to the utility.
According to GhanaWeb, the project undertaken by Ghanaian electricity metering solution company ElectroMeter will run for the next seven years – in line with the government’s directive to all metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies to avoid wastage of power and reduce debt.
The company has begun with the installation of more than 200,000 meters in eight districts in the region, including Danyame, Abuakwa and Suame.
