Local Cashpower technology in Tanzania

Landis+Gyr (formerly Energy Measurements), the South African-based company that specialises in electricity metering solutions, recently won a tender to supply TANESCO, the national power utility of Tanzania, with Cashpower prepayment electricity meters.

Rob Williamson, responsible for Tanzania at Landis+Gyr, outlines the details of this successful supply contract.

"TANESCO gave us the opportunity to tender late last year," he says. "Landis+Gyr has a long-standing relationship with TANESCO and we were very pleased when we were awarded this contract against strong competition.

"The requirement was the supply of 12 000 prepayment meters which had to conform to specifications laid down by TANESCO, under the management of the South African firm NetGroup. This entailed meters that provided single-phase supply and were designed using a 'common base'. This refers to the way the meter connects to the supply cabling and allows great flexibility in the deployment of equipment and the potential for future upgrades.

"Our bid was based on our latest Cashpower Sabre 3 prepayment meter, which is similar to that generally used by Eskom in this country.

"Within very tight deadlines, we successfully achieved supply of the equipment, despite the logistics of delivery to another part of the continent and the timing over the December period. From the time the tender was awarded the shipment was completed in under three months, as promised.

"This was a good demonstration of the local ability to deliver world-class equipment on time and at cost-effective prices, even in the case of large orders with very tight time constraints."

In fact, TANESCO was able to pay Landis+Gyr a compliment in return.

"During the recent international power generation conference held in South Africa, the TANESCO board of directors took the time to visit our premises," says Williamson. "Although this was primarily a social function, it was an excellent opportunity to show our customers the facilities which make our capacity for international delivery of products and services possible."

For further details, please e-mail Rob Williamson, Business Development Manager, robw@cashpower.co.za