Tenaga Nasional Bhd has halted the replacement of electricity meters until a standard operating procedure is in place, said Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui.
This comes after complaints from consumers that the upgrading of electro-mechanical meters to new digital meters had led to higher electricity bills, including “retrospective” charges.
“TNB has stopped its operation to replace the old meters and is in discussion with the ministry to come up with a standard operating procedure to boost consumer confidence.
“The operation will continue, but our first task is educate the public on the new meters,” he said.
Chin, however, added that the replacement exercise would still apply to households with faulty meters and consumers suspected of stealing electricity.
Responding to public complaints, TNB said the new digital meters had been tested and calibrated by laboratories accredited by the Department of Standards Malaysia and used by utility companies worldwide.
Meanwhile, Chin said more investments into solar power plants would be made following the Budget 2013 allocation of RM2bil for the ministry’s Green Technology Financing Scheme, which was also extended until 2015.
“With the funds, The ministry and the Malaysian Green Technology Corporation are looking into the implementation of more solar panels and plants,” he said after launching the 3rd International Greentechnology Conference Malaysia at KL Convention Centre here yesterday.
