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Cape Town - Power utility Eskom appears to have had a solid start to the launch of their smartphone app designed to encourage electricity users to be aware of their consumption.
The app, MyEskom, was launched on Thursday and has already scored more than 1 000 downloads on the Google Play app store alone.
"We built the app to give electricity customers and users better and more direct access to information that applies to their own consumption profile," said Sal Laher, Eskom CIO and divisional executive for the Group Information Technology Division.
The application automatically registers a user's location and presents the status of the grid supply along with energy saving tips in a dashboard view.
Users can build a personal profile based on the appliances in their home and the application suggests which ones to switch off - particularly when the grid is strained during morning and evening peak times.
There is also information on power outages, links to loadshedding information and a "Talk to Eskom" facility that allows people a direct communication link with the utility.
But the app will be improved, promised Eskom.
"Eskom plans to enhance the app to include meter readings being entered; buying prepaid electricity directly; and regular updates about the status of the system. The app will aid in educating users to understand how they can consume electricity in a more efficient manner."
The 13MB app is free to download and available for Android and iOS devices. For other devices, Eskom has created a mobile site. Initial reviews are positive.
"Cool app. Have been waiting for it for years," wrote a reviewer called Ntobeko Zuma.
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