Global electricity meter sales (excluding China) will exceed 173 million units in 2015, accelerate in 2016 and hit a 22% increase by 2020, according to a report by UK-based research firm Statplan.
According to the company, 99% of global electricity meter stocks were electromechanical in 1985, declining to 66% this year. By 2020, it is expected to decrease to 44%, as utilities replace legacy meters with prepayment and smart metering systems.
The report forecasts an increase in the global sales of low
-voltage (LV) smart meters from the current 35.4% to 45.7% in 2020.
Prepayment meter sales – for use where electricity theft is common – will rise from 11.2% in 2015 to 14.9% in 2020
According to a September Market Forecast report from Northeast Group, smart meter sales are growing especially fast in Mexico. The country has recently issued a number of tenders for installation of smart meters, with vendors being shortlisted for the supply of 30.2 million smart meters from 2015-2025.
In parallel with this activity, recent Mexico CFE meter standards revisions have transitioned toward general harmonization with IEC requirements:
- CFE G0100-05 (April 2015) – Advanced Metering Infrastructure System (AMI)
- CFE GWH00-09 (January 2015) – Interactive System Infrastructure and Measuring Electricity
The Mexican movement toward IEC requirements is a drift away from U.S. standards, which rely on ANSI C12.1 and C12.20.
Meter manufacturers rely on MET Labs for the meter approvals they need to sell in different markets around the world, including Mexico and the U.S.
Utilities rely on MET Labs for an objective independent assessment of meter failures in the field, or meters they are considering for purchase.
To find out more about MET’s #1 meter certification program, contact us today.
