The project forms part of the country’s smart electricity network of the future, enabling more efficient energy use, while supporting the transition towards a more ecological energy system.
The new meter management system was supplied by Schneider Electric and installed by Eltel Networks.
Fortum executive vice president electricity solutions and distribution Timo Karttinen said that the company’s 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.
"Our Finnish customers can look up their electricity consumption online through the Fortum Valpas service, where consumption can be monitored on an hourly basis," Karttinen added.
Under Finnish legislation hourly-based meter reading is required by the end of 2013.
The system to be deployed by Fortum will make it possible to offer advanced services that are well beyond the minimum requirements set by law.
Fortum project manager Harri Hauta-aho said that the company’s smart meters project succeeded beyond all expectations.
"The meters were installed according to schedule and our customers provided very good feedback about the installation technicians," Hauta-aho added.
