Kenya’s utility firm, Kenya Power, is seeking to procure over 700,000 electricity meters from local manufacturers to address a biting shortage that has frustrated thousands of its customers who are seeking new meters, and to replace faulty or stolen ones.
The firm will purchase the meters over the next two years from local manufacturers only in a bid to avoid procurement battles that have in recent years derailed its planned purchase of the gadgets.
This comes at a time when many customers are finding it hard to buy meters from the utility firm, while prices of the few available ones have also shot up tremendously with a prepaid meter currently selling at US $63 compared to US $15 last year.
Kenya Power has in recent months struggled to keep up with the demand for meters as it rapidly connects more customers to the grid, forcing new customers to wait long to get the gadgets.
The company in December crossed the nine million customer mark in its race to achieve universal electricity coverage within the next decade.
Currently, Kenya Power connects at least 500,000 new customers to the grid annually, indicating that demand for meters will continue to rise in the coming years, which could worsen the shortage unless the firm buys enough meters.
The fresh tender also includes the purchase of smart meters that the company is betting on to increase sales.
According to The utility, smart meters have increased accuracy in meter readings, enabled prompt billing and reduced energy theft.
In 2021, Kenya Power rolled out a smart metering project for customers in the Small and Medium Enterprise sector across the country and projects to install the smart meters for all SMEs by the end of the 2023/2024 financial year.
The move comes at a time when some of Kenya Power’s industrial customers are progressively shifting to own-generated solar power.