The Muscat Electricity Distribution Company (MEDC) has launched Oman?s first prepaid electricity meter, called Sabiq, aimed at helping customers control their consumption of electricity in the sultanate
According to Muscat Daily, this new meter can help customers monitor their power consumption on an hourly, daily and monthly basis.
MEDC chief executive officer Eng Abdullah bin Said al Badri said, ?Customers will no longer have to wait for bills to regulate usage of electricity. This initiative has been aimed at promoting energy conservation. The launch of the product follows two years of experiments and tests to ensure that it works smoothly and meets the needs and expectations of our customers.?
Currently, Sabiq is an optional service. When a resident opts for this service, the MEDC would programme the meter and install it on the customer?s premises along with a home display unit, which will monitor the consumption rate.
Sabiq recharge stations have been set up at over 1,200 outlets including malls, hypermarkets, shopping centres and petrol stations, across the sultanate.
MEDC chief operations officer Mansour bin Talib al Hinai said, ?MEDC provides the Sabiq service at the same tariffs as the postpaid meters to encourage customers to convert to this service.?
Badri said, ?Necessary arrangements have been made to avoid disconnection of power supply when customers run out of credit during public holidays or weekends. For instance, if your emergency credit runs out after 3pm on Thursday, the supply will continue until 10am on Sunday. Credit will be deducted later when the customer recharges the next time.?
