ZESA Holdings has embarked on a pilot project to install prepaid meters at strategic places as it prepares for the installation of the gadgets estimated to cost millions of dollars countrywide.

The power utility is waiting for the State Procurement Board to award the tender to a company that will supply 600 000 prepaid meters.

Zesa spokesperson, Mr Fullard Gwasira last week said as a pilot project, prepaid meters were being installed at strategic places as Zesa gears up for this massive exercise.

"This exercise we are doing is meant to complement the service provider that will be awarded the tender by the State Procurement Board once the process of selecting a provider has been finalised," Mr Gwasira said.

 He said the prepaid meters would enable customers to manage their electricity consumption, thereby controlling their costs.

Mr Gwasira said the new system would improve electricity consumers' budgeting.

He said once the State Procurement Board awards the tender to supply the prepaid meters, the new system will be rolled out countrywide.

"A small number of the improved and advanced version of the pre-payment meters is being installed at strategic sites to check on the preparedness of the power utility for the countrywide rollout exercise that will be embarked on once the relevant formalities of engaging a service provider are completed. The exercise will cover the whole country," Mr Gwasira said.

In Bulawayo, households in suburbs such as Luveve, Cowdray Park, Thorngrove and Paddonhurst already have pre-payment meters.

The prepaid meters are also being installed at city flats such as Hiran Court at the corner of Fife Street and First Avenue under the pilot project.

A resident of Luveve, who only identified himself as Mr Dube said he had been using the prepaid meter for the past two months and said he was now able to control his electricity consumption.

"I am now certain that I use the electricity that I need. I live alone and US$10 is enough for my electricity a month," he said.

A tenant at a Hiran Court in the city, Mr Daniel Mlambo said with the new system, he would be able to pay the exact amount of the electricity he uses unlike the amounts based on estimates they were paying over the years.

"I wake up in the morning and go to work and the only appliance that is on is the geyser but the amount that I have been paying is too much given that I hardly cook at home," he said.

"For the past few months I have been sent bills based on estimates which ranged between US$45 to US$55 a month."

He said the system would encourage consumers to conserve power as they will be required to pay in advance for electricity.

In the past, residents have raised concern over the power utility's billing system, which they said was in shambles.