December 16, 2013 – Hydro-Quebec says its next-generation meter project has reached 1 million meters installed since the project began. Almost 60% of the 1.7 million meters making up Phase 1 of the project, which is scheduled to end in June 2014, are already in service for customers in the greater Montreal area, it added.

“The deployment of this new technology is going very well, and installers have observed positive reactions in the field,” said Hydro-Quebec.

The utility has filed an application with the Régie de l’énergie for approval of Phases 2 and 3 of next-generation meter deployment. If the Régie approves the application, it is estimated that all of Quebec will be covered by 2018, bringing the total number of meters installed to 3.8 million.

“Hydro-Quebec would like to remind customers that, despite what some rumours suggest, next-generation meters pose no health hazard. In fact, on December 5, 2013, Montreal’s Director of Public Health, speaking on behalf of all of Québec’s regional directors of public health, reiterated their position that next-generation meters pose no health risks,” it continued.