The Ethiopian Electric Utility Service is installing smart meters that allow customers to purchase electricity remotely. This project, implemented in two phases, aims to replace existing meters with STS smart meters, enabling pre-paid customers to purchase electricity from their location.
Phase one targets 25,000 meters in Addis Ababa. Over 1,600 meters have already been replaced in Balderas Condominium and Mekanisa Batu I Condominium. The plan is to replace 10,000 more meters within the next three months.
These STS smart meters allow customers to purchase electricity and monitor their usage via their mobile phones without visiting a service center. This is intended to reduce time and effort spent on purchasing electricity and resolve billing-related complaints.
Phase two will replace 125,000 three-phase meters nationwide with new STS smart meters. The project's overall goal is to replace meters for 500,000 customers. The meters have already been purchased and imported.
The project's total cost exceeds $48 million, funded by the World Bank. Customers will not be charged for the meter replacements, but are requested to cooperate during the installation process.