Rhode Island Launches $153M Smart Meter Upgrade

Island Energy has received approval to deploy around 525,000 smart electricity meters over three years, following a nod from the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission. This rollout, aimed at modernizing the state’s energy infrastructure, will support future electric vehicle charging, energy resource distribution, and more. This initiative is crucial as 60% of the company’s meters are nearing the end of their lifespan. The Commission limited the installation costs to $153 million, with projected benefits of $729 million over two decades. The first smart meters are expected to be in place by late 2024.