10 Tips to Start Meters Installation Business

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Meters Installation Business:Having a business  electricity meter installed on your premises is an essential part of having energy supplied to your property.

Your meter records the amount of energy that you use as a business, allowing your supplier to bill you accurately.

However, the introduction of new smart meter technology is changing the way that your energy usage is recorded and communicated to your supplier.

So it may be the case that you’re looking to have a new business gas or electricity meter installed.

Meters Installation Business:

A total of 22 companies have been cleared by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.

Unless you have a smart meter, or a half hourly electricity meter.

Then the only way to make sure your business is billed accurately is to regularly check and submit meter readings to your energy supplier.

If you don’t provide monthly readings, or at least send quarterly updates.

Your supplier will base your bills upon an estimate.

Meters Installation Business:

Which means you can easily end up underpaying or overpaying for your gas and electricity.

And because your energy supplier only has a legal obligation to check your meter once every two years.

If you’re not paying the right amount for the energy your business is using.

You could quickly find yourself significantly out of pocket.

If you get into debt with your supplier.

Meters Installation Business:

You’ll have to pay back any money you owe before you can switch.

Which could mean you end up paying more again if you’re stuck on an expensive rate.

If you’ve been overpaying then you’ll have the hassle of claiming the money back from your supplier.

You might even find that your electricity meter is taking inaccurate readings, in which case you’ll need to get a new one installed.

To procure and install meters for power consumers across the country in order to bridge the over four million metering gap in the power sector.

Meters Installation Business:

It was as learnt that following the approval of the Meter Asset Provider Regulations.

2018, applications were invited from interested investors for ‘No Objection’ from NERC.

The MAP regulations are intended to facilitate the closure of the wide metering gap in the Nigerian electricity supply industry within three years.

The ‘No Objection’ is to qualify intending investors to participate in the meter procurement process.

The regulations mandate electricity distribution companies.

Meters Installation Business:

To engage meter assets providers.

Who will fund the purchase, installation and replacement of meters to meet the Discos’ metering obligations to their customers.

NERC stated in a statement issued in Abuja,

“This is to ensure that all electricity customers are metered.

Thereby reducing incidences of estimated electricity billing to the barest minimum.

“The commission, having conducted due diligence on the supporting documents.

To the applications submitted by interested investors.

Has granted successful applicants ‘No Objection’ to participate in the procurement process for meter assets provision in accordance with Section 8 subsection 4 of the Meter Assets Providers Regulations, 2018.”

NERC, however, stated that members of the public and intending investors should note that the publication of the successful companies did not foreclose other interested applicants from getting the ‘No Objection’ as it was a continuous exercise.

Meters Installation Business

Companies granted the ‘No Objection’ include Huawei Technology Company Nigeria Limited; Bilview Energy Limited; Chintech Electro Nigeria Limited; Holley Metering Limited; Meron Nigeria Limited; Integrated Power Limited; MBH Power Limited; Trimani Engineering Limited; Sapropel Energy Resources Limited; Megawatt Distribution International Limited; Unistar Hi-Tech Systems Limited; and MOMAS Electricity Meters Manufacturing Company Limited.

Before you contact you supplier to arrange the installation of a new business electricity  meter.

It can help to understand exactly what is involved in the process.

Including: costs, types of meters available to you.

And how long the installation is likely to take – all of which we look at in more depth below.

Read also:Top 34 Lucrative Solar Business Opportunities in Nigeria

Tips to Start Meters Installation Business in Nigeria

To get started, there are a few things you need to identify about your property.

And the energy needs of your business.

Most of this information should be available from your landlord, local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) or the National Grid.

1. Meters Installation Business:Get MPAN

To get an electricity meter fitted you’ll need an MPAN, which is also known as a Supply Number.

It may be the case that your premises already has an MPAN.

Which your landlord or local DNO should be able to tell you.

But if you haven’t got an MPAN, and haven’t received any connection paperwork that includes one.

You can request an MPAN from the DNO.

2. Meters Installation Business:Get a meter

It’s recommended that you start looking for an electricity deal – and request the installation of a new meter – around one month before you need your supply to be fitted.

We can do this for you (see below for contact details).

Once we’ve arranged a supply agreement for your business, the meter will typically be fitted within 10 to 15 working days.

3. Meters Installation Business:Know the  tariff

Depending on the days and times at which your business is going to use most energy.

You might benefit from a tariff that enables you to pay less for the electricity you consume between certain hours.

4. Meters Installation Business:Know the Available Supply Capacity

Your meter will have a defined Available Supply Capacity.

That details the amount of electricity you’re able to draw from the grid at any one point.

This is measured in Kilo Volt Amperes (KVA).

and should be laid out in the connection agreement that’s drawn up when we’re in the process of arranging your meter installation.

If your Available Supply Capacity is above 70KVA.

It’s likely that you’ll need a more advanced energy meter that automatically sends real-time usage data to your supplier every half hour – either way, we’ll be able to ensure you’re getting a meter that’s right for your needs.

5. Get the installation cost

It’s difficult to offer a definitive cost for installing a business energy meter.

This is because you must first contact your supplier so they can assess the work that needs to be carried out, before offering you a bespoke quote.

Your business energy meter installation cost can depend on a wide variety of different factors, including, but not limited to:

  • Your current contract
  • Whether you currently have a meter installed on your premises
  • The current location of your existing meter
  • The type of meter you wish to have installed.

It’s worth noting that if you are having a new energy meter installed for the first time on a property.

Then you may incur additional charges.

This additional cost is reflected in the work that is carried out to have the property connected to the grid.

This additional work is also likely to extend the length of time it takes to install your meter.

To organised a bespoke business energy meter installation quote for your property, simply contact your supplier directly using the contact details in the table above.

6. Meters Installation Business:Get the different meters types

It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with different meters.

Before organizing a business energy meter installation for your property.

There are a number of different types of meters available, all of which are designed to cater for different needs.

Type of meter Description Recommended for
Single rate meter Charges a single flat rate for all of the energy that your business uses. Businesses operating during peak hours, such as retailers and high-street cafes.
Two rate meter – also known as economy 7 Charges two separate rates. These rates are traditionally one cheaper rate for off-peak hours, and a more expensive rate for on-peak hours. Businesses operating throughout the night, such as certain manufacturers.
Three rate meter Charges three separate rates. Similar to a two rate meter with the addition of a third rate for weekends. Businesses who operate over the weekends, such as restaurants and pubs.
Economy 10 Charges two separate rates. Similar to the economy 7, but the off-peak times can be split up throughout a 24-hour period and do not necessarily have to occur in succession. Businesses with specific requirements when it comes to times of operation.
Smart meter Typically charges at a single flat rate. Differs from a “dumb meter” by automating the sending of your usage data to your supplier. Most business types.
Half hourly meter Typically charges at a single flat rate. Sends usage information to the supplier every 30-minutes. Businesses who use large amounts of energy and want more accurate billing with close to real-time usage data.
Multi-site meters Allows you to unify your energy usage across multiple sites Large businesses who operate across multiple different sites.

When deciding which type of meter will best suit your business’s operations.

It can help to take a step back, and assess exactly when your business consumes the most energy.

7. Get electricity supply numbers

These can be found on a previous energy bill for the property.

The electricity number is known as your Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN) and for gas it’s your Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN).

8. Meters Installation Business:Agree the type of meter to be installed

There are many types of meters available.

The one you need depends on the type of supply you have and the tariff you want.

9. Meters Installation Business:Negotiate a price for your new meter

Smart Meter installations are free, as they were commissioned by the government.

If you’re opting for an alternative meter, you may need to pay a fee for the installation.

You can usually negotiate a price

10. Book your installation appointment

Your current or new supplier will assess the work that needs to be done and arrange a day to install the new meter.

It’s important that you or one of your employees is present on the date the meter is installed.

Or the engineer may not carry out the work.

Once your meter is installed, billing will begin on the terms you agreed with your supplier.

Conclusion:

Whether you’re expanding your business energy capacity.

Or you’ve moved into a premises with no energy meters.

This guide will help you to arrange a meter installation quickly and without any hassle.

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