In an attempt to fix weaknesses in its current power delivery system, Kenya Power recently signed a deal with Safaricom to install new electricity smart meters with an upgraded intelligence system. Vandalism of transformers, illegal connections, and leakages will be tracked by the anti-theft smart equipment.
As confirmed from Safaricom internal documents seen by the Business Daily, the company is inviting companies with developed relevant high technology to tender for supply.
The system will be equipped with CCTV cameras, audio alarms where applicable, and geolocation tech that sends information on movement next to or even on a transformer’s pole.
“The primary objective of this Expression of Interest is to identify reputable and qualified vendors who will provide a transformer vandalism monitoring system to prevent cases of transformer vandalism by detecting, alerting, and prompting a response,” says Safaricom.
The telecommunication giant plans to deploy the same technology with water companies, including State-controlled utility firms which lose a lot of water on the way to the consumer.
The Water Services Regulatory Board reports that 21 counties lost more than 50 percent of the water they produced, the effects of which are eventually transferred down to the consumer in high costs and chronic water shortages.
The smart intelligence system will work similarly to how it does with power. It will track water use, leakages, theft, and remote reading of meters assisted by Safaricom’s high-speed internet connection.
“We do have the technology that we believe can help utility companies of which Kenya Power is one of them and also water companies to be able to reduce the level of losses by creating transparency in distribution,” Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa.
In their deal with Kenya Power, it will cost Safaricom KES 31 billion to install the tech alongside 330,300 smart meters to households and businesses. The project is estimated to net KES 71 billion worth of revenue in eight years, Safaricom earning 75% of this amount before transferring functions fully to Kenya Power.
