WILLEMSTAD – The criminal act of stealing water and electricity on a large scale is going to end soon. At least that is the expectation of Aqualectra. They will begin to install what is known as “Smart Meters”. The contract was signed and soon there will be a first pilot project after an evaluation to connect them in all the neighborhoods of Curaçao.
For many years now, Aqualectra has dealt with problems of theft of water and electricity. This can be clearly seen in the supply of electricity of electricity and water, and from time to time it is possible to catch people who are guilty of this theft. Now another approach will be taken, in the sense that it will be possible to detect immediately, where there are attempts at theft of water and electricity. Smart meters will allow the company to know if people use the production that is delivered to a neighborhood properly. In other words, the moment the new smart meters detect that there are irregularities happening, they will act immediately. For example, if there is a certain amount of cubic meters of water and kilowatts of current that is delivered in a certain neighborhood, the smart meters detect that there is more use than the amount that is delivered. The necessary investigations will be made in order to take the pertinent actions. Now this possibility does not exist although there are certain suspicions about it. If the suspects are confirmed, the company will act immediately with the cooperation of the police.
The General Director of Aqualectra Darrick Jonis, said that the contract was signed and that very soon there will be a pilot project among others in Ser’i Domi. At the moment the project is being evaluated and everything is looking good.
Jonis also announced that next week the bidding would start on the project to change the streetlights in Curaçao. There are about 33 thousand light bulbs that will be changed to the LED system. That will mean more lighting, less expenses and more duration. Currently in different parts of Curaçao, the lights that are installed are very dark which do not provide enough lighting on the streets. The Director has said that the first step to change the lights is an intensive process in which the criteria that must be met must be verified very well. When the piece is finished and those who showed up in the process comply with what the piece demands, the best company will be selected to execute the project.
The project to change to more than 33 light bulbs to LED lights has come at a good time. For a long time there were claims about a little more lighting that is needed in certain areas. No more than a week ago the Association of Secure Traffic claimed the low lighting that exists causes many car accidents.
