ECG Introduces System To Check Consumption Of Power

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has launched an automated remote meter reading (AMR) technology that allows customers to check their daily consumption of power. The launch followed three years of successful piloting. The system, which is targeted at special load tariff (SLT) customers, also seeks to improve the integrity of the metering and billing system of the SLT and other high- consuming customers of ECG. Besides, the new technology will allow ECG officials to communicate with clients� meters from their offices, without having to visit where they are stationed. Essence of the AMR system Speaking at the launch in Accra yesterday, the Section Manager of Metering Services at the ECG, Mrs Sariel Adobea Etwire, said the AMR, which had been in existence since 2011, would also improve billing, reading of customers� meters remotely, make ECG available to consumers, promote transparency and improve the payment system among customers. She said before the introduction of the AMR, the company had electronic meters which were not AMR compliant, adding, �Meters were recording electronically but we were picking information manually, hence the periodic transformation to this new system.� Mrs Etwire said the AMR would enable customers to pick data and other important information. �This format will tell you your consumption trend and help you do your calculations as far as your consumption is concerned,� she added. She said the AMR, which was an Internet-based application, came with a technological format to help customers directly connect to their meters wherever they found themselves by logging on to their dashboard and entering their nine-digit meter numbers, as well as access codes. Expansion of the system The Public Relations Officer of the ECG, Mr Eric Asante, said the AMR system had ensured an effective monitoring system for the detection of metering anomalies, reduced operational cost and commercial losses and improved supervision of metering systems. According to him, the AMR project would be extended to cover the ECG's public transformers in all regions to ensure efficient service delivery. He, therefore, called on customers to embrace the system, as it had come to ensure effective web application service, but cautioned against tampering with the meters when installed in their homes, offices and other convenient places.