By Karabo Marifi
Eskom, South Africa’s state-owned power utility, has issued an urgent notice to prepaid electricity customers, urging them to recode their meters by 24 November 2024. This update is required by the Standard Transfer Specification Association (STSA) and is crucial for customers to continue using their prepaid meters without disruptions. Once the deadline passes, meters that haven’t been recoded will no longer accept electricity tokens, effectively rendering them inoperable until they are updated to the new key revision number (KRN) 2.
The TID (Token Identifier) update impacts approximately 6.9 million prepaid meters across Eskom-supplied areas. Eskom has confirmed that there will be no extension to the 24 November deadline, reinforcing the urgency of the recoding process. Failure to meet this deadline will result in customers being unable to load electricity tokens, which could severely affect power access.
Pre-coding of Meters Nearly Complete
Eskom has taken significant steps to prepare for the transition, pre-coding 97% of the meters ahead of the deadline. This pre-coding simplifies the final recoding process, allowing customers to complete the update themselves. The recoding process is designed to be customer-friendly, requiring them to purchase credit tokens from authorised vendors. Once purchased, customers will receive two sets of 20-digit codes, which they need to enter into their meters to complete the update .
DIY Process and Customer Support
To make the process as seamless as possible, Eskom is actively encouraging customers to use the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) recoding method. This approach not only saves time but also reduces the need for in-person assistance. For those who may experience difficulties, Eskom has set up support teams that are ready to help customers resolve any issues. The utility has also reassured customers that its helplines, social media platforms, and in-person engagement sessions are available to guide them through the process.
In a public statement, Eskom expressed gratitude to the customers who have already completed the update, emphasising the importance of the KRN2 transition in maintaining uninterrupted service. “Eskom remains committed to a smooth transition to KRN2 and ensuring uninterrupted service for all customers,” the utility stated. The entity further advised customers needing assistance to call the Eskom helpline at 0860 037 566 .
No Extensions to the Deadline
In response to recent reports from other utilities like City Power, Eskom reiterated that the 24 November 2024 deadline is firm, with no extensions being considered. “There will be no extension to the 24 November 2024 deadline for the TID update. Customers must ensure they have completed the process by then to avoid disruptions,” said an Eskom spokesperson.
The STSA’s mandate to update all meters stems from a built-in anti-fraud system, where a timer that started in 1993 is about to expire. If the meters are not updated with the new key revision number (KRN2), the system will no longer accept new tokens. This issue affects all Standard Transfer Specification-compliant prepaid electricity meters worldwide .
Challenges and Current Progress
Despite Eskom’s efforts, concerns have been raised regarding the rate of progress in completing the meter updates. Reports indicate that while over 97% of the meters have been pre-coded, the actual number of meters fully updated is lagging behind. By August 2024, approximately 4.06 million meters had been recoded, leaving nearly 3 million at risk of missing the November deadline. Eskom aims to accelerate the recoding process to avoid widespread disruptions .
The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) has also raised concerns, particularly regarding municipal areas where the rate of recoding has been slower. Eskom and SALGA have been closely monitoring the situation through online dashboards, which track the number of meters updated daily. According to SALGA’s dashboard, around 1 million meters in municipal areas still need to be updated .
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?
For customers who fail to recode their meters by the 24 November 2024 deadline, the consequences are clear—those meters will stop accepting new tokens. Eskom has cautioned that once the meter is rendered inactive, it will not be possible to load additional electricity units until the meter is recoded. This could leave many households and businesses without power for extended periods, particularly if the recoding process is not completed promptly .
The good news is that Eskom has made the process as straightforward as possible. By purchasing electricity as usual from authorised vendors, customers will receive the recoding tokens along with their regular electricity tokens. The tokens will be entered just like any other prepaid code, ensuring a smooth transition for those who follow the instructions. It is important for customers to enter all previously purchased tokens before recoding their meters, as older tokens will not work after the update .
Eskom’s Commitment to Preventing Fraud
Another critical aspect of the recoding process is Eskom’s efforts to prevent fraud. The utility has warned customers about the risk of scammers trying to take advantage of the situation by offering bogus recoding services. “The recoding of meters is done at no cost to the customers. We caution customers against scammers who may attempt to request any form of payment for this service,” said an Eskom representative. Eskom has also introduced stricter monitoring of illegal electricity sales, with new codes that make it impossible for ghost vendors to sell fraudulent tokens .
Customer Communication and Ongoing Efforts
Eskom is sparing no effort in its communication campaign. In addition to using traditional methods like radio and TV, the utility has expanded its reach through social media platforms and its dedicated Eskom chatbot, Alfred. Customers can access real-time updates, troubleshooting tips, and answers to frequently asked questions to make the recoding process as hassle-free as possible. Eskom has further committed to increasing its public engagement to ensure that no customer is left uninformed .
The utility also provided an update on the progress of the recoding project during a virtual media briefing in October 2023. Eskom’s General Manager for Operations Enablement, Velaphi Ntuli, said that the project is progressing steadily, with various provincial teams working around the clock to meet the November deadline. “We understand that there will be glitches, as in any major project, but we are putting every effort into delivering on our commitment to complete the recoding ahead of the due date,” Ntuli said .
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