Smart Meters - Victorian Advanced Metering Infrastructure Program (AMI)

What is the AMI program?

• Formally endorsed by the Victorian Government in 2006, the AMI program will see the installation of electricity smart meters for Victorian consumers (with consumption less than 160 MWh per annum) throughout the course of 2009 for an extended four year period through to 2013.

Why is the exchange taking place?

• In line with the Victorian Government’s endorsement of the AMI rollout, the Department of Primary Industries has mandated that the meter exchange process take place from mid 2009. It is intended that the switch to smart meters will provide Victorian energy consumers with information to enable them to more effectively manage their energy consumption.

What is the difference between a 'basic meter' and a smart meter?

• Currently, sites are metered with a ‘basic meter’ which is read quarterly. These meters do not provide detailed information related to the period which energy was consumed; reading meters is manual and connection and disconnection also takes place via a manual process.
• A smart meter is capable of measuring and storing half-hourly electricity flows which identifies the period the energy was consumed as well as supporting enhanced features such as:
  • Remote meter reading
  • Remote connection and disconnection
  • Provision of data related to the performance and quality of electricity supply.

How will the meter exchange take place?

• The exchange process from basic style meters to smart meters will be coordinated via communication between you (the consumer) and your electricity distributor. Due to the fact that the change-over process will take place over a four year period, you will be contacted approximately six weeks prior to the scheduled exchange date.
• Any scheduling queries should be taken up directly with your electricity distributor. Their contact details will be provided in the initial correspondence you receive just prior to your scheduled exchange and have also been listed below.

Distributor	Areas Served	Contact number
Jemena	Northern and south-western suburbs	13 16 26
SP Ausnet	Outer northern and eastern suburbs and eastern Victoria	13 17 99
United Energy	Southern suburbs and Mornington peninsula	13 20 99
Citipower	City and inner suburbs	13 12 80
Powercor	Western Suburbs and Western Victoria	13 24 12

Further enquiries:

Should you require further information on the Victorian Government's energy policy or AMI program, please visit the Department of Primary Industries' (DPI) website or contact the DPI on 136 186.