Cape Town Streamlines Electricity Meter Updates: City Teams Offer Crucial Assistance

The City of Cape Town has entered the final stages of a significant electricity meter software upgrade that affects the functionality of prepaid meters throughout the city. This update is mandatory to ensure the continued usability of electricity meters beyond December 2024, when the current software will expire.

City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy Beverley van Reenen disclosed that an impressive 95% of prepaid meters, tallying around 619,000, have already undergone the update as scheduled. The comprehensive program reached neighborhoods across Cape Town, implementing the upgrades in phases to minimize disruptions and ensure a smooth transition.

However, the City acknowledges that some residents have not yet updated their meters, risking loss of power as their ability to recharge could be compromised. A strategic mop-up operation is underway, aiming to address any remaining meters in need.

Residents, particularly those who are older or have disabilities, are asked to seek help from family where possible to expedite the process. The City offers two 20-digit update codes during purchase, which customers can use to update meter software easily and quickly. This proactive measure prevents interruption of electric service, ensuring all users continue to enjoy uninterrupted power supply.

In addition to self-service options, the City of Cape Town has teams ready to provide aid to those who find the update process daunting. The key element here is accessibility; residents can arrange for assistance by contacting the City’s Call Centre, where a team will be dispatched according to a set area schedule to perform updates.

For customer reassurance and safety concerns, City teams are identifiable by official ID cards and work order numbers. Confirmation of their authenticity can also be sought by contacting the Call Centre.

The essential nature of these updates stems from expiring software protocols, which could render old recharge tokens useless if the necessary updates are not actioned. Residents are cautioned to keep their slips containing the 20-digit codes, as currently, no copies are provided by vendors. In case of loss, contacting the City remains the only way to recover these important codes.

Though concerns may arise about the effects of such an upgrade on electricity consumption or existing electricity units, the City assures that the software update will not alter meter calibration, nor will it influence electricity usage or the balance of units. Any meter issue following an update should be reported directly to the City’s Call Centre for resolution.

This initiative by the City of Cape Town showcases its commitment to maintaining robust and efficient utility infrastructure for its residents. It also emphasizes the importance of a proactive approach in ensuring that all households stay powered in the face of technological advancements and software life-cycle management.