Rețele Electrice companies are organizing a tender through the public platform SEAP for the acquisition of smart meters for three-phase connections, with a maximum value of 4.6 million euros, to continue the digitalization of distribution networks, increase resilience and operational flexibility, and improve the quality of services offered to customers.
“Smart meters are the foundation of a resilient distribution network because they act as sensors in our low-voltage networks, enabling us to efficiently manage energy flows and continuously have an accurate and real-time representation of the network’s operation. Furthermore, the integration of smart meters allows us to develop and support new market services such as flexibility, the integration of decentralized production, and energy storage—key elements in building a modern and sustainable network. By committing to install a smart meter for every customer, whether they are a consumer, producer, or prosumer, we take on an essential role in advancing the energy transition in Romania by creating an energy system adaptable to future demands,” stated Mihai Pește, General Manager of Rețele Electrice Companies.
As part of the tender, a maximum of 17,000 three-phase smart meters will be purchased for Rețele Electrice Banat, 16,000 for Rețele Electrice Dobrogea, and 17,000 for Rețele Electrice Muntenia. The equipment must meet the minimum functionalities imposed by ANRE according to Order 177/2018. Additionally, they must use the Meters & More communication protocol, which supports bidirectional data transfer in metering systems, necessary, for example, in the case of prosumers.
By the end of 2024, the total number of smart meters installed by the three Electric Networks companies will reach approximately 1.7 million, the highest volume achieved in the electricity distribution system in Romania.
The degree of coverage of smart meters will reach at the end of 2024 at 53% for customers served by Rețele Electrice Muntenia, 50% for those in Banat and 59% for those in Dobrogea, these representing the highest percentages of coverage in the entire country.