In Zimbabwe, the rising cost of living and the need for more control over household expenses have led to a growing demand for prepaid split electricity meters. These meters allow individual households or tenants within a shared property to manage their own electricity consumption and billing, separating their costs from others.

If you’re a homeowner or tenant in Zimbabwe and want to have a prepaid split electricity meter installed on your premises, here are the key requirements you need to fulfill:

1. Approval from the Property Owner: If you’re a tenant, you’ll need to obtain written approval from the property owner or landlord before proceeding with the installation of a prepaid split meter. This is to ensure that the modifications to the existing electrical infrastructure are authorized.
2. Electrical Inspection and Certificate: You’ll need to have a qualified and licensed electrician inspect your electrical system and provide an Electrical Certificate of Compliance. This document certifies that your electrical installation meets the necessary safety standards and is ready for the installation of a prepaid split meter.
3. Application to the Utility Provider: Once you have the Electrical Certificate of Compliance, you’ll need to submit an application to the local electricity utility provider, such as ZESA Holdings, to request the installation of a prepaid split meter. This application should include details about your property, the number of tenants, and the desired meter configuration.
4. Payment of Installation Fees: The utility provider will typically charge a fee for the installation of the prepaid split meter. This fee covers the cost of the meter, the associated materials, and the labor required for the installation. You’ll need to make this payment before the installation can proceed.
5. Meter Installation and Activation: Once the utility provider has approved your application and received the necessary fees, they will schedule the installation of the prepaid split meter. A licensed electrician from the utility provider will visit your property to complete the installation and activate the meter.
6. Obtaining a Prepaid Meter Card: After the installation, you’ll need to obtain a prepaid meter card from the utility provider. This card will allow you to purchase electricity units and monitor your consumption through the prepaid split meter system.

By following these steps, you can successfully have a prepaid split electricity meter installed on your premises in Zimbabwe, enabling you to take control of your energy costs and separate your electricity bill from others sharing the same property.