Kenya Power is currently testing a revolutionary technology that will enable Kenyans to share tokens. The technology was launched on Thursday, July 6, during the Kenya Power Manufacturers and Innovation Expo 2022.
The power utility firm's new innovation will see Kenyans share electricity tokens with their friends or neighbours who are on the pre-paid option.
Numero IOT Chief Executive Officer, Morris Mbetsa, while discussing the company's innovative smart metering solutions, said the company has already done tests in various parts of Nairobi and the project will be piloted in the coming days.
Numeral IOT, a city-based tech firm, is the developer of the application that will enable Kenya Power customers to share utility tokens.
The smart metering will be a big win for tenants who lose out on electricity tokens when they shift houses as it will allow them to share electricity with friends and relatives when moving out.
When shifting houses, tenants can also move with their tokens to their new locations.
Mbetsa said the application will be a game-changer in Kenya’s electricity consumption as it will offer prepaid customers more options.
“If we can share data, then why not tokens? This application will enable you to share with someone who does not have. Also, let us say you have 100 tokens in your meter and you are shifting houses, then you go with your tokens,” Mr Mbetsa said.
Kenya Power is banking on the growing technology to increase sales and cut down on losses incurred through illegal electricity connections.
The power utility firm rolled out smart meters for businesses that allows it to monitor connections in real-time. The smart meters are already working in some parts of the country.
The smart metering systems help secure small businesses and diagnose network issues. They are already working in industrial areas with remote switches.
Kenya Power has already posted an eight percent growth in sales following the installation of 67,000 smart meters in the year ended June 2022. An additional 75,000 smart meters for small businesses are targeted for the current financial year.
