The Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) will begin installing smart meters this January, aiming to replace 500,000 conventional meters with smart ones by 2028, as previously reported by Phileleftheros.
EAC has already begun distributing informational leaflets with electricity bills to inform customers about the new smart meters and what they need to know about their installation.
According to Phileleftheros sources, the first 50,000 meters will be installed in the coming period, starting with residential, small commercial and industrial premises in urban areas.
The installation will be free of charge for consumers and requires no action from property owners.
The smart meters are electronic devices that, beyond measuring electrical consumption, offer additional functions, with the primary feature being the ability to provide information to both consumers and EAC. They form the foundation of an intelligent electrical measurement infrastructure system and play a crucial role in the transition from passive to smart grids.
The installation project will contribute to modernising EAC’s network to upgrade consumer services.
These devices serve as an important tool for consumers, bringing simplicity, speed and reliability to electricity management in efforts to reduce final bill costs.
Consumers need not take any action or make any payment, as the project has secured necessary funding from the EU. However, they should be aware that the safe replacement of meters requires a power interruption that is not expected to exceed 20 minutes, which will be carried out by EAC teams visiting premises for the replacements.
According to EAC, the smart meters will offer multiple benefits. Consumers will have immediate access to daily electricity consumption information, allowing them to adjust their energy behaviour to save energy and reduce costs.
Various electricity suppliers will be able to utilise advanced billing systems, enabling consumers to save money by shifting electrical loads (such as washing machines and water heating) from peak to off-peak periods when kilowatt-hour costs are lower.
Additionally, electricity bills will be issued promptly and accurately based on actual consumption rather than estimates. The system will facilitate easier fault detection and faster power restoration, whilst offering the option of prepaid energy, particularly useful for properties rented to third parties for short periods. The new meters will also help prevent and detect electricity theft cases.
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