Chasseneuil du Poitou — 6 May 2009 — Itron, formerly Actaris, has signed a strategic partnership with Sorégies Réseaux de Distribution (SRD) as part of an AMM pilot project for the installation of communicating electricity meters.

For the pilot project, Itron will provide SRD with 2,000 meters and 100 concentrators. These communicating meters will give SRD a better knowledge of the amount of energy within its network, through the data collected automatically by its meter park. The meters will be installed in 2010, with a view to a mass roll-out from 2012 in the Vienne region (France).

The implementation plan for this project was developed taking into account the recommendations of the CRE (Commission de Régulation de l'Energie, an independent administrative authority that makes sure the gas and electricity markets in France work smoothly) and it will therefore be completely interoperable. This AMM pilot project is the concrete expression of the longstanding collaboration between Itron International and SRD.

« We decided to trial the AMM solution as soon as possible because we want to think ahead to the mass roll-out of 130,000 meters and to optimize costs and risks management. In the long term, the possibilities that AMM offers are huge and this technology will allow us to improve our network management », explained Alain Ragot, Customers and Suppliers Relations Manager at Sorégies Réseaux de Distribution.

« We are delighted that Sorégies Réseaux de Distribution selected Itron. The meters will be designed and produced at our industrial site of Chasseneuil du Poitou and this proximity to SRD will guarantee a greater responsiveness from our site within this partnership. What's more, Itron's knowledge, experience and expertise in AMM will undoubtedly contribute to the success of this significant project », said Itron's Patrice Caillaud, Sales and Marketing Manager France.