Smart meters being installed at households to save energy

Fenaka Corporation has commenced efforts to install smart meters at households to save energy.

The corporation held a press conference on Thursday providing updates regarding the company’s undertakings.

Speaking at the press conference, Fenaka’s Managing Director Muaz Mohamed Rasheed noted receiving complaints from the public over high electricity bills. He added that Fenaka would investigate complaints submitted over bills that are higher than a reasonable amount.

Muaz explained possible reasons behind high electricity bills that have been identified by the cooperation. He cited changes to weather as one such reason since the expenses incurred for diesel hikes as a result.

“We have also noticed another reason behind the sudden high electricity bills. This is the bandwidth set forth by the government. Specific tariffs. They are at set rates. These rates were declared approximately 12 or 15 years earlier. There are six bandwidths in total. The sixth bandwidth is for 600 units. Each band comprises of 100 units. The rate increases based on the increase in bandwidth. MVR 4 and some Laari is charged for the last bandwidth,” he said.

Muaz detailed that the increase in the usage of electricity in some households results in the units falling to the last bandwidth which sees their electricity bills increased by two or three folds.

In this regard, he said if MVR 1,000 is incurred for the electricity bill previously, a fall to the sixth bandwidth will see the bill increased to MVR 2,000 or MVR 3,000.

Henceforth, Muaz said Fenaka has launched a smart meter project to resolve the issue, adding the shift to smart meters has already been made at many islands.

He specified these islands at Fuvahmulah City, Dh. Kudahuvadhoo and Meemu Atoll islands.

“Via these smart meters, we can check today, how much electricity meters were used yesterday. Thus, how much (electricity) was used. This can be checked directly via phone,” he said.  

Muaz said this would greatly aid in saving energy as the charges to the electricity can be viewed daily.

Speaking further, Muaz said the same project was commenced earlier under an agreement executed with a Chinese company, Wisdom. However, he noted that the company had many complaints over the failure to settle payments in accordance with the agreement.

He added that some payments have been settled as of present while affirming commitment to settle all pending dues to the company in the future.

The high electricity bills remain a huge concern for the public. Many have complained that the high bills persist despite decreasing the usage of electricity.