Exploring South Africa's smart future

South Africa Smart Future

To offer decision makers a clearer perspective on the market for electrical smart meters in South Africa, global business research and consulting firm Frost & Sullivan are to explore the implications of developing a smart meters in the country.

Throughout this year and next electricity distributors in South Africa hope to start significant electrification and conversion initiatives for smart meter technologies.

"The implementation of smart meter systems within the country is being largely driven by demand response and demand-side management initiatives and supporting government legislation, brought about by the national energy crisis," notes Frost & Sullivan energy analyst Ross Bruton.

"The roll-out has significant implications for both electricity distributors and equipment suppliers, as smart meters and ancillary systems are much more expensive than conventional prepaid and credit meters."

In an attempt to increase awareness and share knowledge and experience of the technology, Frost & Sullivan are to hold an online analyst briefing on March 16. The discussion will benefit "original equipment manufacturers, product suppliers and distributors, major electricity distributors, and new entrants to the market", according to the press release.

The briefing aims to provide a market overview of the entire smart meter market within South Africa separated categorised by product type (credit meters, prepaid meters and smart meters) and end-user (residential sector, commercial sector and industrial sector).

South Africa are among Africa's most polluting nations, but are trying to move away from traditional forms of energy such as coal and oil - despite releasing some rather unrealistic targets in the lead up to Copenhagen. In order for its renewable energy market to develop, smart meter and smartgrid technology will be essential.

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Daniel Jones

Daniel is a Politics and Philosophy graduate from Cardiff University where he also worked as a section editor on the award winning student newspaper. After university he joined an IT support company where he was a B2B online writer. He loves anything to do with sport and joined GDS in July 2009.

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