Partner Article

Gosforth energy providers secure major smart metering contract

Gosforth-based energy providers EDMI Limited have scooped a deal to develop communications hubs as part of a smart metering network in the North of England and Scotland.

The Japanese firm, whose European headquarters are in the Regent Centre, will develop the hubs as part of British telecoms group Arqiva.

The network will be used to transfer information between the smart meter and energy suppliers, network operators and other authorised service users, bringing an end to estimated bills and giving consumers access to real-time information.

EDMI’s work will form part of the Government’s strategy to install 53 million smart meters by 2020.

North East law firm Muckle LLP advised on the deal and assisted in the negotiations around complex contracts between the multiple parties involved.

David Stroud, executive director at EDMI Europe described it as a “major deal” for the company.

lan Grisedale, partner in Muckle LLP’s Energy Team who led and co-ordinated the legal support to EDMI, said: “In its entirety, the UK-wide smart meter programme is expected to deliver net benefits of over £6 billion, so this is a strategically important national project.

“Understandably, the contract for the development of the communications hub for the North of England and Scotland was extensive.

“The contracts were heavily scrutinised at all stages and involved parent companies in Japan, Singapore and the United States, requiring us to be available across different time zones.

“The contracts are now all in place and this arrangement is worth millions to our region. We enjoyed working very closely with the teams at EDMI, whose technical, financial and project knowledge were excellent.”

EDMI is owned by Osaki Electric Co. Limited, a Japanese metering solutions provider listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .