[September 05, 2012]

According to IDC Energy Insights, Smart Meter Shipments Will Surpass 130 Million Units by 2016; Emerging Markets Cited as Growth Catalyst

IDC Energy Insights yesterday released the results of the Worldwide Quarterly Smart Meter Tracker. Global smart meter shipments in the second quarter of 2012 (2Q12) grew 33.6% over the previous quarter, and were up nearly 51.3% year over year. By the end of 2012, IDC (News - Alert) expects worldwide annual meter shipments to surpass 130 million units.

While smart metering continues to supplant earlier generations of analog and AMR technologies, shipments are showing different growth patterns across various geographies. The U.S. market continues to recede from the ARRA peak and momentum in the smart metering market is now shifting to Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America.

A graphic illustrating IDC Energy Insights' worldwide smart meter shipment forecast by region through 2016 is available at IDC.com. Instructions on how to embed this graphic into online news articles and social media can be found by viewing this press release on IDC.com.

In Europe, utilities are actively testing various advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) technologies, and many European Union (EU) member states have signalled their commitment to embrace smart metering in compliance with the European legislation mandating deployment of smart meters where economically feasible. These states are now in the process of finalizing the regulatory framework for their respective national rollouts, which are to be completed by 2020.

"The regulatory work, in some cases, is taking longer than previousy anticipated, and some stakeholders are afraid that the deadlines initially set at national levels may not be met," explained Petr Stabrawa, senior research analyst with IDC Energy Insights EMEA. "Despite the continuing political commitment to smart metering, these regulatory procrastinations, in combination with ongoing macroeconomic pressures, are currently holding the European smart metering market back."

As large smart meter tenders are not expected in the EU before the second half of 2013, global meter vendors are actively exploring new market opportunities in other geographic regions. In light of their rapidly increasing energy consumption, outdated energy infrastructure, and problems with energy loss/theft, the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) hold significant potential for the AMI industry. Facing stiff competition from local vendors that often enjoy long-standing relationships with domestic utilities, several global meter vendors have sought to build their position in these markets through local partnerships and specific product offerings.

Dean Chuang, senior research analyst with IDC Energy Insights, noted, "As the momentum in AMI deployments moves to less established markets, both utilities and the vendor community need to determine the best approach for each market. While each market and utility has different needs and a different level of smart grid ambition, there is ultimately a compromise between selecting an ideal customized solution and the costs of deviating from a standardized approach. This thought process can be observed when we compare TEPCO's recent tender to the AMI proposals coming out of Japan just 2-3 years prior."

For additional information about the Worldwide Quarterly Smart Meter Tracker, or to arrange a one-on-one briefing, please contact Kathy Nagamine at 650-350-6423 or knagamine@idc.com.

*Note: According to IDC Energy Insights, smart meters are defined as solid state electric meters with integrated two-way communications capabilities. Smart meters support multiple wireless and power line communications technologies and enable a range of energy efficiency and demand response applications.

About IDC Energy Insights

IDC Energy Insights provides research-based advisory and consulting services focused on market and technology developments in the energy and utility industries. Staffed by senior analysts with decades of industry experience, IDC Energy Insights covers both the utility and oil & gas segments, providing independent, timely, and relevant analysis focused on key business and technology issues. IDC Energy Insights serves a diverse and growing global client base, including electric, gas and water utilities, IT suppliers, independent power producers, retail energy providers, oil and gas companies, equipment manufacturers, government agencies, financial institutions, and professional services firms. International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology market. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology, media, research, and events company. For more information, please visit www.idc-ei.com, email info@idc-ei.com, or call 508-935-4400. Visit the IDC Energy Insights Community at http://idc-insightscommunity.com/energy.

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