The NB Power head office in Fredericton. Image: Submitted/NB Power
NB Power is looking to revive its proposal for smart meters in the province.
It is seeking approval from the Energy and Utilities Board (NBEUB) for the $92-million capital project.
The utility estimates switching to smart meters, or advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), will save $31.1 million over 15 years.
“The costs of AMI will be paid back during the life span of the new technology primarily through operational efficiencies, reduced [operations, management and administration], avoided capital costs, energy savings, and reductions in energy losses,” said NB Power in its application.
The board denied NB Power’s previous application last year, saying it was “not in the public interest” and the utility failed to make a “positive business case.”
But the board did agree smart meters are “an evolutionary step towards grid modernization in Canada.”
NB Power says smart meters would give customers more detailed info about their energy consumption and let the utility know immediately when a customer’s power is out.
The board will hold a pre-hearing conference in Saint John on Aug. 26.
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