Finland initiates widespread replacement of 2G electric meters in households

In Finland, a widespread initiative is underway to replace outdated remote-read electric meters that utilize 2G network technology. These old meters will be exchanged for new models that enable better management of electricity consumption, particularly in households that utilize market-based electricity pricing.

With the new meters, households can optimize their electricity usage by shifting consumption to cheaper time slots, for example, turning off underfloor heating during peak pricing periods. Upcoming legislation in the electricity market will allow both electricity suppliers and grid companies to offer load control services, potentially providing customers with new ways to save on their electricity bills.

Currently, remote-read electric meters in Finland rely on 2G technology, which is set to be decommissioned by 2029, necessitating a complete meter replacement within the next few years. In the Myllymäki district of Hämeenlinna, a technician named Kai Lepistö is among those leading this initiative, having already replaced over 20,000 meters in two years.

As part of the new technology rollout, each home will receive a load control relay that automatedly directs electric usage to cheaper hours of the day. However, not all network companies are yet utilizing these features; only Elenia has begun to implement load control services, with others waiting for legislative clarity.

The debate surrounding the management of these relays involves several stakeholders, including monopolistic grid companies, who must navigate the balance between providing load control services and ensuring a fair competitive market. The government is currently reviewing a new electricity market law, which will define who controls these relays and how they can be managed to benefit consumers more broadly.