Monday, July 07, 2008 ERC to release guidelines for prepaid meters
AS PRICES of fuel and electricity continue to soar, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is set to issue guidelines that would allow consumers to control their consumption using prepaid meters.
Outgoing ERC chairman Rodolfo Albano Jr. revealed that the commission is now studying thoroughly the use of a prepaid metering scheme for electricity to help the consumers cope with the rising cost of fuel and other essential services.
"The prepaid scheme will reduce the rates of electricity in the sense that there will be fewer employees to be employed by utilities and consumers will be able to control their consumption," Albano said.
He said the prepaid scheme would be similar to the prepaid system being offered by telecommunications provider such as Globe Telecoms and Smart Communications.
"We're just about to issue the rules," he added.
According to Albano, they would have to complete first their discussions with the telecommunications provider since they would have to connect their system to the wireless operator.
"You have to connect this to either Globe or Smart. We will still have to study and evaluate the prepaid metering system," the ERC chief said.
Currently, only South Africa is using the prepaid metering technology, Albano said.
Asked when would the rules be released, Albano said they are still finalizing some details, in particular the warning device that should be put in the meter to warn the consumers if they have reach their limit of consumption.
"We want to make sure that the meter will have a warning device that will inform users on the users' credits. The prepaid scheme for electricity service is now under study by the commission and hopefully as we put the guidelines and rules on this our consumers will educate. We will post in our website the schedule or public consultations," concluded Albano. (MSN/Sunnex)
