Fortum has completed the installation of 610,000 new smart meters in a three-year programme aimed at supporting the transformation of the Finnish energy sector. The drive towards a greener energy economy in Finland began with legislation implemented in 2009 by the Finnish government in order to drive forward energy efficiency in the country. The regulations require hourly-based meter reading in all homes by the end of 2013 and the new smart meters installed by Fortum represent an important segment of the planned future smart electricity network. They will also help to reduce the number and duration of power outages as well as bringing benefits for Fortum’s customers that are far in advance of the requirements set by the new law.
“Our studies show that Finnish consumers are increasingly interested in their own electricity consumption, and consumer interest in electricity consumption will increase when shifting to the hourly measurement of electricity consumption and real-time billing” said Timo Karttinen, Fortum’s Executive Vice President, Electricity Solutions and Distribution. “Our Finnish customers can look up their electricity consumption online through the Fortum Valpas service, where consumption can be monitored on an hourly basis.”
Close to 200 people were employed in delivering the new systems and a completely new meter management system has also been installed, supplied by Schneider Electric. The installation itself was carried out by Eltel Networks.
Some of the properties in the Fortum distribution area, around 0.5 percent, have not yet received a smart meter, mainly because they are typically summer cottages. The company is however intending to install new meters in these properties also in forthcoming months.
“The smart electricity network gives all Finns the possibility to make choices that conserve energy and the environment” said Minister of Housing and Communications, Pia Viitanen who delivered the Finnish Government’s greeting to the official closing of the project. “I am delighted that Fortum’s project put the customer first and that the company already has a number of services that take advantage of the attributes of the new meters.”
Project Manager Harri Hauta-aho confirmed that all the meters covered by the programme were installed according to schedule prompting positive feedback from customers.
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