NERC Urges Power Consumers on Immediate Meter Updates

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC is advising power users across the country to start updating their prepaid meters in order to avoid losing the meters by November 2024.

This advice came as a power distribution company explained that un-updated prepaid meters would stop operating from November next year, adding that this was a global standard for prepaid electricity meters.

In one of its latest posts on X (formerly known as Twitter), the commission said, “If you have a prepaid meter, it may be time for an update as you may not be able to recharge your meter from November 2024,

It also stated that updating is easy and free.

Distribution companies are to commence issuance of two free Key Change Tokens which will update users’ meters.

The update will not affect the units in your meter nor will it make your meter run faster than usual. Contact your Disco for more information.”

Meanwhile, Kaduna Electric had in a two minute video shared recently, explained how customers could upgrade their prepaid meters in order to avoid losing the meters in future.

In the snapshot by the Disco, the Head, Non-Maximum Demand Metering, Kaduna Electric, Umar Gumel, said, “This is to inform users about a worldwide development as regards prepaid meters, not just in Kaduna Electric , not in Nigeria alone, but a worldwide affair.

He explained that Standard Transfer Specification standard meters will have a Roll Over by November 2024, so every meter has to be upgraded to a certain value of standard before that date.

He noted that otherwise, any meter that fails to receive the upgrade token will cease to operate by November 2024.

He further explained that “the cost of a three-phase meter  stands at N118,000, while that of the single phase is N63,000.

He said Kaduna Electric was calling for the cooperation and understanding of power users under its franchise areas to reach any of the Disco’s cash offices and ask for the rollover token.