The Impact of Prepaid Electricity Meters on Energy Losses on a Distribution Network

Abstract

This research was undertaken to determine the impact of pre-paid metering (Yaka) system both technical and commercial energy losses, using the case study of Umeme Banda District. The research adopted a survey approach and data was collected primarily using questionnaires, interviews with key informants and focus group discussions. Monthly energy consumption was collected for 50 consumers for one year when using post-paid meters, compared to when using prepaid meters. Data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel. The analysis showed that after the installation of prepaid meters, more energy units were sold by Umeme compared to when the same consumers where using post-paid meters. There was a clear reduction in commercial losses resulting from poor billing methods, bypassing of meters, power tapings, etc. There was also a reduction in distribution technical energy losses because consumers would use energy saving techniques. Additional data on the total monthly incoming and outgoing energy of seven case study feeders was collected from December 2013 to August 2018, and analysed using STATA software. The analysis confirmed that distribution energy losses reduced with time after the installation of prepaid meters. The energy losses were initially at 34% in 2013 and reduced to 18% in December 2018, with an average of 22% during that period. The commercial energy losses were found to be 19.3% whereas technical energy losses were 2.7%. The seven feeders serving the Umeme Banda district were modeled and simulated using Digsilient software to determine the technical losses after installation of prepaid meters which was found to be on average at 2.7% for seven feeders which clearly showed that technical energy losses were less than commercial energy losses.