After a successful pilot program, SaskPower has announced they will begin installing smart meters on residences across the province.

The installation will begin in January with farm and rural customers receiving the initial meters since they usually only have one meter reading a year.

Minister Responsible for SaskPower Don Morgan says smart meters will be very beneficial to Saskatchewan residents.

“Smart meters record how much electricity is used and when you use it, giving you access to your consumption patterns and charging customers for exactly what they use, eliminating the need for bill estimates,” Morgan said. “These meters will also alert SaskPower when a customer faces an outage.”

President and CEO for SaskPower Mike Marsh says that smart meters are an essential tool for a modernized power grid.

“As we add more sources of renewable power generation and prepare for electrification of other industries, our electricity grid must be up to the task,” Marsh said. “That’s why we’re working hard to develop a modern power grid, which allows us greater visibility and control over the various parts of the system.”

17,000 residents took part in a pilot program this past year to test out the meters, 45,000 commercial and industrial meters have been installed in the province since 2017.

There were no issues reported during the pilot program.

SaskPower is hoping to complete the rollout of smart meters to its customers by 2024.