Tuesday, 24th November 2009 - 02:29CET

6,000 'smart' meters installed

Some 6,000 'smart' electricity and water metres have so far been installed in parts of Valletta, Gzira, Ibrag, Swieqi, Madliena, Mosta, Zebbug (Gozo) , Mdina, Kirkop and Senglea, Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt said in Parliament.

He said that the installation of the meters is expected to be completed by the end of 2012.

Enemalta launched the installation of 'smart' meters in April as part of a €70 million project aimed at eliminating unbilled consumption, which includes theft of electricity.

The corporation has recovered more than €3 million over the past five years from customers who tampered with water and electricity meters.

Between January and October this year, a total of 126 tampered meters were discovered during inspections.

During the installation of the new 'smart' meters, 10 tampered meters were found in nine households and one factory.

The cost of the 'smart' meter project is expected to be recovered within four years.

The meters are expected to make possible the introduction of day and night power tariffs. Enemalta would be able to issue ‘actual' bills as against estimates, and meter readers would not have to call, since meters would be read remotely.

Consumers would also be able to see consumption on each circuit in their house.

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Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Tuesday, February 9, 2010. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Comments

maria curmi (on 25/11/09)

@ A Camilleri and what about thy neighbor with all the noise of hungry white goods maybe he will also be awake having a shower with the cheap rate !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Came on

p.grima (on 25/11/09)

What about the generous wages of Enemalta's top brass? Aren't we already paying for that too?

A Camilleri (on 24/11/09)

@ Maria Curmi. Water boilers, washing machines, tumble dryer and other power hungry white goods have or can be fitted with a timer to use during the night.

Joseph Grech (on 24/11/09)

As Mr. J. Micallef wrote it is indeed true that summer residences are classified by Enemalta as having 0 residents! This is a blatant lie - and an injustice - and the authorities should correct the situation. When a family moves to its Summer residence they should not be put at a financial disadvantage with Enemalta charging them different rates they are charged when living in their principal residence. Remember please that summer residences are often used because people cannot afford to take regular holidays abroad! And owners of summer homes contribute in no small way by paying the relevant taxes. Government needs to remember that pensioners are particularly hard hit since it is not quite easy for an old couple to live off a single pension! Hopefully it is not too late for Enemalta to adjust its Utility Bills plan!

maria curmi (on 24/11/09)

The meters are expected to make possible the introduction of day and night power tariffs so now we don’t sleep at night and sleep in mornings at work so we could get cheaper WSC bill HA HA what a joke !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joanne Attard Baldacchino (on 24/11/09)

We just had our electricity meter installed about two weeks ago, and it is not a smart meter :(

j micallef (on 24/11/09)

I have proved in very clear terms that smart meters will increase bills of utilities for those who own summer residences. Smart metering will increase both their permanent residence utility bills, and their summer residence bills too. This is exactly the opposite that has been stated in the Question-&-Answer fact sheet about smart meters issued by Enemalta (available on its website), where there is a categoric assurance that smart meters will not increase utility bills in any way. I demonstrated this fact by working out on a simple mathematical model with realistic timeframes and consumptions. This smart meter bill increase follows in the wake of other unjust and discriminatory increases for those who own summer residences. Water consumption tariffs are higher for summer residences, and no eco reduction for electricity consumption is applicable for summer residences, as these are classified as having "0 Persons". Added to all this, summer residences in high-rise apartment blocks with a lift, will see an increase in meter charges for their lift 3-Phase meter from an annual €27 fee to a whopping €195 annually. It seems that government is intent on treating the several old-age pensioners owning summer residences, as if they were millionaires!

c. camilleri (on 24/11/09)

What happened to those found tampering with their meters?

Miriam Bonello (on 24/11/09)

"Tthe cost of the 'smart' meter project is expected to be recovered within four years" said the Hon. Minister. No wonder the excessive hikes in the electricity bills.

John Micallef (on 24/11/09)

I guess the leackages from the water infrastructure amount to much more this 3M eur we are mentioning here.

Of course WSC contractors don't bother, they do the contract get paid & leave.

A typical example is Sister Str in Tarxien. If they continue like this, in 3 years our street will go back to ruin. As like a water fountain.

Franco Farrugia (on 24/11/09)

There are many things that Enemalta 'would be able' to do with these smart meters, ... but will it?

6,000 'smart' meters installed

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