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Power firm to offer test, calibration services to region
Patrick Mboya, a Kenya Power technician, tests electric meters at the facility in Ruaraka, Nairobi before they are issued for installation at customer's premises. Photo/COURTESY
What you need to know:
The Meter Central Laboratory detects losses that occur in power transmission and distribution network, and consequently enables technicians to rectify the issue.
The laboratory will be used to test, calibrate and repair power meters for all customers including domestic, small commercial users, heavy and industrial consumers.
A Kenya Power laboratory has received national accreditation allowing the power firm to test and repair meters as well as offer calibration services to other companies in the region.
The Meter Central Laboratory detects losses that occur in power transmission and distribution network, and consequently enables technicians to rectify the issue.
The certification - International Standard ISO/IEC 17025:2005: General requirements for the competence of testing and calibrating laboratories - was awarded by Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS).
The certification has come at a time when Kenya Power is rolling out prepaid meters as it rushes to shore up its revenues and curb losses from bad debts.
“The laboratory will help us enhance system operation and safety by providing accurate data on system conditions,” said Eng Joseph Njoroge, Kenya Power’s managing director.
“At the same time, it will open a new revenue stream for the company by offering test and calibration services to other power companies in the region.”
The laboratory will be used to test, calibrate and repair power meters for all customers including domestic, small commercial users, heavy and industrial consumers.
The facility will also be used to solves issues arising from transmission and distribution meters including power meters, frequency meters, voltmeters and ammeters.
“The test and calibration services offered by the laboratory will now be recognised not only in Kenya but also worldwide and it comes six years after the company was accorded yet another International Standard on quality management,” said Eng Njoroge.
The power firm is turning to pre-paid meters to cut the risk of consumer default and is installing Global Positioning System (GPS) technology in meter-reading devices to curb electricity theft and boost collection.
The hand-held equipment will be used to track geographical positions of meters and will relay customers’ details like their location, readings and monthly bills to the central office.
It plans to have more pre-paid meters from the current 174,810 installed in the past three years to 520,000 over the next nine months.
The company had 2.1 million households connected to the national grid by June 2012 compared to 1.75 million a year earlier and 1.46 million in 2010.
