Peter Batchelor, Victoria's Energy & Resources Minister

Melbourne, Australia --- (METERING.COM) --- April 7, 2009 - The program to roll out new smart electricity meters to 2.5 million households and small businesses in Victoria, Australia has been officially launched by the state’s energy and resources minister Peter Batchelor.

The first meters are expected to be rolled out by United Energy Distribution (UED) in the southeast suburbs of Melbourne and Mornington Peninsula and by Jemena in the northern and inner western suburbs of Melbourne.

“The launch of the roll out marks an important milestone for Victoria’s advanced meter project, which will provide a valuable tool to help Victorians to manage their electricity use and facilitate better customer service from both electricity distributors and retailers,” said Batchelor.

“A key benefit for Victorian households of the enhanced meters will be the reduced need for estimated bills and the potential for retailers to offer time-of-use pricing.”

Jemena and UED have finalized agreements with a range of suppliers to source and install the new meters with the first expected to be installed in households later this year, said Batchelor, adding: “All five electricity distributors in Victoria will be required to rollout the new meters to all households and small businesses across Victoria over the next four years.”