The City of Tshwane has today officially launched the much-anticipated electricity prepaid meter token identity system rollover in Eldoraigne, Centurion in Region 4.
The current prepaid meter software, known as Standard Transfer Specification 1 (STS-1) expires on 24 November 2024. Therefore, the meter software has to be configured from STS-1 to STS-2 in order for the prepaid meter system to continue to function beyond 24 November 2024.
The City begun the rollover process last month in Region 2 and will continue to fast-track the transition to a new system before the expiry period of the current system.
In simple terms, a consumer purchases electricity at a vending station and a token is generated. All prepaid meter software must be updated to be STS-2 compliant.
Unupgradable (non-compliant) prepaid meters must be replaced before 24 November 2024. The updating of the meter software will configure the meter to accept a token for the new token identity values.
If the meter software is not updated, the prepaid meters will not accept any token generated after November 2024, which means that the token will be rejected.
Any prepaid customers with old credit tokens generated or purchased before November 2024 and not yet entered into the meter before the upgrade will be rejected after upgrading, and no refunds will be issued.
When a meter is unupgradable, dedicated field service officials will be deployed to visit identified prepaid meters that need to be upgraded. Prepaid meter users will be notified when field service officials are in their areas.
Below is the schedule of the token identity rollout per region:
| Region | Start date | End date |
| Region 2 | 15 May 2024 | 31 May 2024 |
| Region 4 | 1 June 2024 | 30 June 2024 |
| Region 6 | 1 July 2024 | 31 July 2024 |
| Region 3 | 1 August 2024 | 31 August 2024 |
| Region 1 | 1 September 2024 | 30 September 2024 |
| Region 5 and 7 | 1 October 2024 | 31 October 2024 |
| All regions (project winding down) | 1 November 2024 | 24 November 2024 |
