KPLC rolls out new meter reading technology to eliminate human error

 

The Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) has commenced the rollout of a new meter reading technology designed to enhance the efficiency, accuracy and speed of meter data collection.

Dubbed Optical Character Recognition (OCR), the meter reading system eliminates the need for manual typing of meter numbers and readings, instead allowing for the scanning of meter displays to facilitate high-accuracy processing of meter readings.

“Technology is a major driver of our business, and in terms of billing, specifically meter reading, we have been looking at how to make it better and more accurate. With the OCR system, the meter reader will just be required to scan the meter, and the system will pick the meter readings automatically. This will save time and eliminate human error that is likely to occur if the meter reader manually types the readings,” said Richard Wida, Kenya Power’s Commercial Cycle Manager. 

The rollout targets all the Company’s 8 regions across the country, following a successful pilot that was carried out for six months in Nairobi starting March 2025.

A total of 1.8 million postpaid meters are targeted to be read using OCR technology.

These are the post-paid meters whose readings must be taken manually and submitted every month for billing.