Maritime Electric has started rolling out its new smart electricity meters, beginning with a pilot phase in Charlottetown that will test how the devices collect and communicate usage data. Godwin Odekunle, Maritime Electric employee holds the new rolled out meter. ContributedArticle contentP.E.I.’s electrical system is getting an upgrade as Maritime Electric rolls out new smart meters.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe rollout started with a pilot phase in Charlottetown that will test how the devices collect and communicate usage data.Article contentArticle contentMaritime Electric CEO Jason Roberts says the project will improve outage response times, give customers more insight into their electricity use, and eventually support time-of-use pricing. But the full rollout will take about two years.Article contentArticle contentWhat is a smart meter?Article contentThe new smart meters will measure how much electricity flows into a home at different points in the day and send that information through a digital communication system that links directly to Maritime Electric’s billing software.Article contentUnlike traditional meters, the new meters don’t need to be read in person and can alert the utility the moment power goes out.Article contentCustomers will also be able to see their own energy use in far more detail to compare how much electricity they’re using throughout the day.Article contentWhen will they be installed?Article contentRoberts said the installation process began on Nov. 3, with the first meters going into homes and businesses in Charlottetown.Article contentThe project is divided into four phases. The first phase will run from November to February or March 2026 and will see about 4,000 meters installed. The second phase will run from spring 2026 to spring 2027. The third phase will run from fall 2026 to February or March 2027. The fourth phase will run from summer 2027.Article contentArticle contentMore than 90,000 meters will be rolled out. As of Nov. 16, Roberts said just over 1,100 meters had been installed.Article contentArticle content“It’s not something that you can rush through. Somebody has to take that meter, put it in their vehicle, drive to the site,” he said.Article contentWill smart meters change electricity bills?Article contentRoberts says there will be no immediate change to customers’ bills until after all meters have been installed.Article contentThe cost of the overall project after government funding is applied will eventually be added to customer rates through the normal rate-setting process, just like any major utility upgrade.Article contentRoberts said federal and provincial support is a major reason the project is able to proceed.Article contentThe utility has secured $19 million in government funding.Article content“That’s $19 million that customers, the customers don’t have to pay, which is great news.”Article content Jason Shakespeare, a Maritime Electric employee, holds a smart electricity meter, which has already been rolled out in parts of Charlottetown. ContributedArticle contentHow will the meters affect outage response?Article contentOne of the biggest operational changes is that smart meters send outage alerts instantly.
What to know about Maritime Electrics new smart meters
