By The Respondents reporter
The Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) has officially launched its Smart Electricity Metering System in a major step toward improving customer service and accelerating digital transformation in the energy sector.
The launch was held at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam and formed part of the achievements marking the first 100 days of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s second term in office.
When launching it, the Minister for Energy, Hon. Deogratius Ndejembi, commended TANESCO for the milestone and urged the utility to continue upholding both national and international quality standards.
"The system that operates these newly smart meters should be improved every year to match global technological trends. I encourage (TANESCO) to remain innovative. You have invested well in customer service, but I want to see the same excellence reflected in technology,” said Minister Ndejembi.
Hon. Ndejembi further emphasized that the national power utility must always prioritize the needs of its citizens, calling on TANESCO to strengthen digital integration with customers.
“If possible, develop a mobile application to improve system integration with citizens. Your true strength is seen in how well you serve the public, including how quickly and effectively you respond to faults in residential areas,” he added.
The launch of the smart meters marks a significant milestone in TANESCO’s transition to fully digital service delivery. The new system reflects the government’s broader agenda of digital transformation and the integration of public service systems.
The event was accompanied by an exhibition showcasing various TANESCO services, including clean cooking energy solutions, smart LUKU services, modern power meters, and other key innovations in the electricity sector.
According to TANESCO, the smart metering technology is the result of over 18 years of research, testing, and continuous improvement conducted by Tanzanian experts.
The ceremony was officiated by Minister Dr. Ndejembi, accompanied by Deputy Minister, Salome Wycliffe Makamba, and the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Albert Chalamila.
TANESCO Director General, Lazaro Twange, described the occasion as a historic moment in the Energy sector, marking a technological evolution.
“Today marks a major development milestone for us. We have gone from electromagnetic meters to disc meters, and now to smart meters. This is a major leap forward in ICT transformation and a clear demonstration of our support for the vision of President Samia in driving national development through digital systems,” he said.
The smart meters enable two-way communication between the system and customers, allowing for real-time monitoring of power availability, outages, and even remote electricity recharging, without the need for manual input of tokens, significantly reducing the inconveniences previously faced by consumers.
Customers who have already benefited from the new meters testified to their convenience.
“Since I was installed with the new meter, I no longer worry about losing electricity tokens even when I am travelling. Previously, if the remote got damaged, it was a challenging situation to recharge, and we had to depend on neighbors for input,” said Ms. Grace Bahati, a resident of Dar es Salaam.
With the rollout of smart meters, TANESCO expects to achieve improved efficiency, reduced service disruptions, and enhanced customer satisfaction nationwide.