MUSCAT: An appeal has gone to owners and landlords of properties in the Wilayat of Al Seeb in Muscat Governorate ahead of the roll-out of new smart meters across the wilayat, among other parts of the capital city.
In the appeal, dated September 4, 2023, the Office of the Wali has urged property owners – residential, commercial, agricultural and industrial – to cooperate with staff of Nama Electric Distribution Company who will be visiting their premises to replace analog-based meters and new smart meters that operate on an automatic reading system.
Tens of thousands of smart meters have already been installed across the Sultanate of Oman as part of a nationwide rollout of these digital devices. Significant numbers of new consumers have been included in the coverage. Existing customer’s outdated meters will be gradually replaced over the next three years, until 2025.
The shift to smart meter reading ensures a better experience for customers, with remote meter reading eliminating the need for field visits. This is achieved by connecting the meters to Nama Group's shared services platform using mobile phone SIM cards.
These smart meters give several benefits to both electricity companies and the local population. Smart meter reading is an important advancement since it eliminates the need for manual readings and field visits. This assures accurate invoicing and minimises mistakes, ensuring that residents only pay for the power they use.
Smart meters provide real-time insights into energy consumption, allowing them to make educated decisions, cut expenses, and promote sustainability. Flexible pricing encourages off-peak consumption, which increases efficiency even more.
Furthermore, smart meters help identify theft, respond quickly to outages, and contribute to a better future by lowering emissions and promoting renewable energy integration.
Eventually, the adoption of smart meters provides consumers with better energy management, cost savings, and a sustainable energy infrastructure.
“Please be informed and aware of the importance of cooperating with the implementing companies to facilitate their work so that the project can be completed as quickly as possible,” the wali’s office added in its letter.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
