Thaba Chweu Municipality Smart Metering Project
Grinpal has further been awarded project to install its smart meters in the Thaba Chweu local municipality in Mpumalanga. The municipality is one of five (5) local municipalities within the Ehlazeni District and has an estimated population of 97,734. Grinpal has been appointed for the installation of 19,500 units across Thaba Chweu including areas such as Sabie, Graskop, Lydenburg, Pilgrims Rest and the surrounding rural areas. The project commenced in June 2011 and is envisaged to end mid 2012.
As with many municipalities, Thaba Chweu is not immune to the plight of poverty caused by widespread unemployment particularly in the youth. As part of this project, Grinpal has undertaken to appoint and train local youth contractors. The contractors will be trained on various aspects of the project including the installation of cell concentrators, smart meters and pole-top boxes.
"Grinpal is working with all the nine provinces to ensure a steady supply to municipalities, metros and property developers," states Gert Gous, Senior Vice President, 
Technology at Grinpal. "We are also rolling out the
meters in other countries too. We are currently conducting pilot studies in India and are finalising the first two contracts for installations in Nigeria," concludes Gous.
