By November 24th, 2024, the nation’s present prepaid power voucher system will run out of voucher sequences for the special tokens made for each meter. Since 1993, voucher sequences have been issued using a Standard Transfer Specification (STS) mechanism, which will no longer be used after this date.
The STS offers the option of creating tokens that are exclusive to the intended meter and, in the case of credit tokens, are only ever used in that meter once. Prepaid meters will eventually cease taking new credit tokens, and once the remaining credits have been used up, they will also stop providing power.
The cities of Johannesburg and Tshwane are taking things a step further by converting all customers, both residential and commercial, to a prepaid system as part of a multi-year effort. Both City Power in Johannesburg and Tshwane will be initiating programs to improve smart meters or replace outdated ones.
The cities claim that the restriction on prepaid meters is system-related and was not anticipated, but it has observed customer fear after hearing rumours that the government was running late with the renovations.
When the new system goes into effect at the end of 2024, the City of Johannesburg noted, “We certainly do not want to rush at the last minute and want to guarantee that prepaid power consumers continue to get services.”
Residents were asked by the city to assist authorities when they visited to update or enhance the systems, but they were also advised to always check for official identification documents such as a letter of appointment.
The City of Tshwane stated that it is getting ready to replace its present PCMA and Suprima prepayment metering software systems in order to be in compliance with the necessary modifications to continue operating through 2024. According to the statement, “This upgrade is necessary owing to a limitation on the previous software that was a result of its security measures.”
The cost of updating the ICT servers is estimated to be around R5.2 million. As part of a year-long initiative, both cities will start updating customers’ meters once its servers are upgraded.