ZETDC No Longer Estimating Energy Use for Miners
In an endeavour to protect miners from inflated bills due to estimated billing, the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) has introduced smart metering to accurately bill mining clients.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
Speaking at a mining stakeholders engagement meeting held at Rainbow Hotel in Kadoma, Eng. George Tsvakwi, ZETDC Kadoma District Manager, said his company had been falling short on personnel to do meter reading verifications, thereby resorting to estimated readings. However, they have now introduced smart metering to accurately bill mining clients, who have been complaining of overcharges.
“I’m sure all the mining clients we have that are 200 kVA and above now have what we call smart metering. Unlike conventional metering that required on-site readings, the smart meter allows us to read the meter from our office. We can even disconnect the service from our office, though I’m not saying we are doing that—just highlighting the capability that comes with this technology,” Tsvakwi stated.
The advantage to the client is that there are no longer estimated bills, which have been a point of contention for most mining clients. “We do not have the resources to physically visit and read all the meters, so now we are reading them from the office. This ensures accurate readings, and clients are billed directly for what they use, rather than receiving estimated bills,” Tsvakwi explained.
The introduction of smart metering offers several benefits to the mining sector:
1. Accuracy: Smart meters provide precise readings, eliminating the discrepancies caused by estimated billing. This ensures that mining companies are billed only for the energy they actually use.
2. Convenience: With remote reading capabilities, the need for physical meter inspections is greatly reduced, saving time and resources for both ZETDC and mining clients.
3. Transparency: Mining companies can access real-time data on their energy consumption, allowing for better monitoring and management of their energy use.
4. Cost Efficiency: Accurate billing helps mining companies to better plan and manage their energy budgets, reducing the risk of unexpected high charges.
5. Enhanced Control: The ability to remotely disconnect services if needed (although not a common practice) provides ZETDC with greater control over energy distribution and management.