Vattenfall and Actaris sign an Automatic Meter Reading system contract

Vattenfall and Actaris sign an Automatic Meter Reading system contract Vattenfall has signed a contract with Actaris for the supply of remote electricity meters in Sweden, as the first installation phase of an extensive Automatic Meter Reading system. As announced on 4 June, Vattenfall has selected Actaris as supplier of remote electricity meters. On 17 June, a general agreement was signed for the delivery of 150,000 electricity meters, with 50,000 to be installed in the autumn of 2003. The first areas to receive the new meters will be Vårgårda and Fristad in the Western region and Knivsta and Botkyrka in the Stockholm region. This is the first phase of Vattenfall's extensive programme to supply all the company's approximately 900,000 network customers in Sweden with remote electricity meters by 2009. This installation constitutes a part of an initiative to provide monthly metering and easy-to-understand electricity bills, while eliminating preliminary debiting. "This is the first in a series of planned purchases, and it is an important step in our effort to make life easier for our customers. Now that we have chosen a supplier for this phase of our program, the installation work with the customers can start in August," says Per Hallberg, Director of Vattenfall Electricity Networks Sweden. The system includes the integrated RF (Radio Frequency) and PLC (Power Line Communication) communications meters, the communication infrastructure and the data collection engine. Designed for powerful Automatic Meter Reading applications, the meter is based on state of the art and well-proven technology. To address all geographical topology, the whole system can ensure reliable data readings in high-density areas as well as in sparsely distributed regions. "Since the beginning of the 90's Actaris has developed expertise in deploying new networks for various European, American, and Asian key customers. We will consolidate and develop this experience to support Vattenfall in their program for the benefit of their customers in Sweden" says Gérard Gallez, Managing Director of Actaris Electricity. Actaris is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of meters and associated systems for the electricity, gas, water and heat markets. Its innovative products and systems integrating the best-in class technologies are specially designed for public or private energy and water suppliers, services companies and industrial organisations. The group is active in more than 30 countries with a strong presence in Europe, Asia and South America. With 6,500 employees, Actaris' turnover for the year 2002 reached 647 million Euros. Thanks to a strong R&D expertise and a long experience for installation Automatic Meter Reading systems and with 5 millions Electricity meters sold in 2002,Actaris is the worldwide leader for Electricity metering and systems. From Vattenfall's Press Office, telephone: +46 8 739 50 10. A link to photos and an illustration will be available in the press release at Vattenfall's web site www.vattenfall.com For further information, please contact: Vattenfall: Per Hallberg, Director, Electricity Networks Sweden, telephone +46(0)8-739 61 94, mobile +46(0)70-585 85 30. Bo Sörberg, Project Manager, Electricity Networks Sweden, telephone +46(0)8-739 52 43, mobile +46(0)70-515 79 25. Actaris: Sylvie Marteau, telephone: + 33 5 49 62 70 90. smarteau@actaris.com www.actaris.com ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/06/18/20030618BIT00480/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/06/18/20030618BIT00480/wkr0002.pdf