– will eventually phase out meter readers

IN an effort to curb electricity theft, Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) yesterday said that they have embarked on a pilot project to introduce the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters which will eventually phase out meter readers.
Speaking on behalf of the power company, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Aeshwar Deonarine said that the technology is also beneficial for the customer as it is a smart meter in which they can use information for the management of power usage.
He explained that the new technology will allow online, real time information for customers and GPL so there will no longer be a need for meter readers – inaccuracies of meter reading will be gone.

TAMPER RESISTANT
Deonarine stated that customers who attempt to tamper with the new meter will trigger a motion sensor which will alert the company immediately and there will also be prepaid/post-paid meters, so the customer would have two choices.
He pointed out that it has an automatic disconnect switch so if you don’t pay your bill just like at GT&T, GPL will press a button and it will disconnect the service from the office, and if you reconnect yourself it recognises that and a message will be sent to the company.
PERENNIAL PROBLEM
The GPL Deputy CEO admitted yesterday that electricity theft has been a perennial problem for the company and its predecessor and this still remains a huge challenge on two fronts – there are persons who are not customers who tap into the network while some customers would bypass the meter or tamper with it.

AMI PROGRAMME
GPL has commenced the first phase of its Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) programme which would provide customers with more accurate meter reading every month, offer information about their energy usage and a system for recognising power outages.
The project is financed under a loan agreement with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), facilitated by the Government of Guyana for the sustainable operation of the electricity sector and improved quality of service.
Under this part of the pilot project, 2,000 smart meters, which are a component of the AMI system, will be installed.
The scheme incorporates technology that allows electricity meters to be read remotely and provide a wide range of benefits to customers, as well as operational savings through increased efficiencies to GPL.
Additionally, the AMI will eventually be implemented countrywide and serve as a platform to eliminate manual meter reading, provide remote monitoring of the electricity distribution system and enable customers to manage their bills by tracking their consumption and demand via the internet.
“AMI has been proven to provide wide-ranging operational and customer benefits, including improved customer service and more options for our customers to manage their energy bills,” said John Cush, Consultant with responsibility for the implementation of the Sustainable Operation of the Electricity Sector and Improved Quality of Service Project.

(By Michel Outridge)