BC Hydro selects Corix, Capgemini for smart meters launch
Direct wage contribution anticipated to be $30 million to $40 million
VANCOUVER – BC Hydro's Smart Metering Program has reached another important milestone with the signing of two companies who will be integral partners in launching smart meters across B.C. later this year.
B.C.-based Corix Utilities will install the 1.8 million meters to homes and businesses across the province while internationally renowned Capgemini will provide the project implementation and technology integration services that will be critical to the overall success of the program.
Corix is based in Vancouver and will be responsible for deploying and installing the smart meters across the province. Their contract will result in an estimated $30-40 million in direct wage benefits in B.C. through the hiring and training of a labour force of over 350 to complete the project.
As part of their plan, Corix will open seven regional offices in Surrey, Prince George, Terrace, Victoria, Burnaby, Kamloops and Cranbrook to support the execution of the program.
Corix has both strong local knowledge and broad experience and has performed over 10 million meter exchanges and other device installations and retrofits for various gas, water and electric utilities, helping the utilities make smooth transitions from traditional meter reading to automation. The contract is worth approximately $73 million over the next two years.
Capgemini will provide project management services and systems integration, along with the information technology and telecommunications to support the integration of the smart metering system into key BC Hydro business functions such as outage management and customer billing. Capgemini brings extensive specialized expertise having worked with other utilities in North America to implement their smart metering programs.
Capgemini has Canadian offices in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. The three-year contract is worth approximately $65 million.
"The Smart Metering Program will modernize our electricity system and provide extensive benefits for our province for generations to come," stated Bev Van Ruyven, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice-President, BC Hydro. "Smart meters give us a valuable opportunity to work directly with our customers and it was essential that we have experienced and specialized companies like Capgemini and Corix to ensure the program is successful for everyone involved."
The procurement process for the Smart Metering Program has been rigorous and thorough. BC Hydro has definitive and specific requirements to ensure the best value for customers.
BC Hydro is currently assessing potential companies for the smart meter manufacturing and the meter data management system. BC Hydro plans to announce the successful vendors in the coming months.
Smart meter deployment across the province will begin in mid-2011 and conclude at the end of 2012. Early this year, customers will begin to receive notification that meters are coming to their community and information about what they can expect.
For most customers, installation will be simple and will only take a matter of minutes. Then, in mid-2012, customers will receive information about in-home feedback options that will provide them with the ability to monitor their energy use in near-real-time, helping them save energy and money.
BC Hydro’s announcement of the system integrator and deployment vendor follows on the release of the business case for the Smart Metering Program earlier this week. The business case details how the program delivers over $500 million in net benefits over the next 20 years meaning lower rates for customers in the long-term, reducing them below what they would otherwise be in the absence of BC Hydro’s investment in the program.
About Corix
The Corix Group of Companies – based in Vancouver, B.C. – specializes in providing field metering services, products and utility solutions for sustainable infrastructure in the water, wastewater and energy sectors for clients across North America.
It has over 2,000 employees in 60 locations across North America. Corix is a private company whose primary owners are BC Investment Management Corporation and CAI Capital Management Inc., two large and stable members of the Canadian investment community who specialize in public pension funds. Please visit www.corix.com for more information.
About Capgemini
Capgemini, one of the world’s foremost providers of consulting, technology and outsourcing services, enables its clients to transform and perform through technologies. Capgemini provides its clients with insights and capabilities that boost their freedom to achieve superior results through a unique way of working. Capgemini reported 2009 global revenues of EUR 8.4 billion (approximately USD $11.6 billion) and employs 100,000 people worldwide.
Contact:
BC Hydro Media Relations
Direct: 604 928 6468
Jack Touhey, VP, Public Affairs
Corix Utilities
604 697 6700
Jack.touhey@corix.com
Christel Lerouge
Capgemini Press Contact
+33 (0) 1 47 54 50 76
Christel.lerouge@capgemini.com