Prepaid meters to be installed nationwide within five years

CAIRO – 20 August 2017: Prepaid meters will be introduced all over the country within the upcoming five years, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy Ayman Hamza told Egypt Today on Sunday.

Prepaid meters were installed for 3.75 million consumers so far by North Cairo Electricity Distribution Company.

Hamza said that facilitating the recharging of prepaid meters would result in the spread of those devices and consequently eliminating incorrect bills and fee collection problems.

Prepaid meters were first introduced in 2014. The devices operate by inserting smart cards recharged by a minimum of LE 20 ($ 1.13). One hundred pounds would provide 424 Kilowatts.

The meters light a little lamp and issue a low sound as a warning when the remaining balance is only LE 10.

When the card has zero balance, it is possible to maintain electrical power for 24 hours by inserting the card upside down.

Prepaid meters also serve in detecting informal businesses as they cut electricity when consumption exceeds the adequate capacity of 80-Ampere-devices installed in households. Electricity is permanently cut if this occurs for the third time until the company fixes the problem.

Those meters also cut electricity when attempts of opening the device forcefully take place.

The smart card costs LE 19, and if lost, the same amount is paid to purchase a new one after reporting the loss of the former.

Cards are recharged at electricity distribution companies existing everywhere all over the country or through Fawry services for bill payments.