Falklands : KWH Cards for the Falklands
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 11.05.2006 (Article Archived on 25.05.2006)
FINN's Article about pre payment cards has helped pave the way for this new development.
KWH CARDS FOR THE FALKLANDS
By J. Brock (FINN)
In a press release, the Public Works Department have announced that the sale of electricity cards will not cease in June as expected. This is due to on-going negotiations with the manufacturers of Kilowatt reading metres and overwhelming support to pre pay for electricity.
Last month FINN wrote a story about using unit cards – they read in KWH – and how they would be beneficial for people who cannot afford large electricity bills once a quarter. The new meters should be installed at a slow pace due to the sheer number of people who want the new service.
Several alternatives were discussed with the public at a public meeting held in April and Councillors liked the KWH card payment system. Cllr Cockwell answered questions on behalf of Councillors. There were legal problems with changing the price of the cards as they are now as well as monthly payments.
It is hoped that people with card meters on old tariffs will come forward to have their meters calibrated to the new price, as the situation has caused the loss of thousands of pounds that could be spent on the new meters.
It is not yet known if electricity will be cut off to those residences and businesses that aren’t paying .17p per unit. It has been discussed but it is hoped the 400 or so meters involved will be read and calibrated before the new KWH meters arrive. Meanwhile, customers can continue buying face value cards.
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