NB Power has announced a significant achievement in its grid modernization efforts, with over 300,000 smart meters now installed across New Brunswick homes and businesses. This milestone marks nearly 80% completion of the province-wide rollout, bringing advanced energy management tools to a vast majority of customers, including those in Saint John.

The installation of these smart meters is a crucial step in transforming the province’s electrical infrastructure, promising a more efficient, reliable, and future-ready power grid.

Empowering Customers with Smart Technology

For Saint John residents and businesses equipped with smart meters, several key benefits are now available:

• Enhanced Energy Management: Customers can utilize user-friendly online tools to track and manage their energy consumption and costs more effectively.
• Faster Service: Smart meters enable remote connections, disconnections, and meter readings, leading to quicker and more efficient service.
• Future Preparedness: The new technology helps prepare homes and businesses for integrating alternative energy sources, such as solar panels.
• Grid Support: By adopting smart meters, customers contribute to a smarter, more efficient, and more reliable provincial power grid.

Independent Review Confirms Accuracy and Reliability

Addressing concerns about meter accuracy, an independent Residential Billing and Metering Assessment has confirmed that smart meters are both accurate and reliable. The review found no evidence of meters over-reporting electricity use. Instead, it clarified that higher bills experienced last winter were primarily due to colder temperatures, longer billing cycles, and rate increases, not the smart meter technology itself. These findings aim to build confidence in the technology and correct any misinformation, encouraging more customers to leverage the tools provided by smart meters to better control their energy use.

Building a Smarter Grid for New Brunswick’s Future

The smart meter initiative represents one of the most significant infrastructure upgrades in NB Power’s history. This modernization effort is designed to make the grid smarter, more efficient, and more resilient, ensuring it can meet the evolving energy needs of customers today and in the years to come. NB Power extends its gratitude to customers for embracing this change and to its employees and partners for their dedication in building a future-ready grid for the benefit of all New Brunswickers.

For more information on smart meters and their benefits, visit the official NB Power smart meters page: nbpower.com/smartmeters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a smart meter?

A smart meter is an advanced electricity meter that digitally measures and records energy consumption, allowing for two-way communication between the meter and NB Power.

How many smart meters have been installed in New Brunswick?

As of August 21, 2025, NB Power has installed over 300,000 smart meters across the province, completing nearly 80% of the rollout.

Are smart meters accurate?

Yes, an independent Residential Billing and Metering Assessment confirmed that smart meters are accurate and reliable, finding no evidence of over-reporting electricity use.

Why might my electricity bill be higher with a smart meter?

According to an independent review, higher bills experienced by some customers were attributed to factors such as colder temperatures, longer billing cycles, and rate increases, not the smart meters themselves.

What are the main benefits of having a smart meter?

Customers with smart meters can track and manage energy costs online, receive faster service, prepare for alternative energy sources like solar panels, and support a more efficient and reliable power grid.