Replacement of analog meters | The last recalcitrant loses its battle against Hydro-Québec

It’s the end of a soap opera. In addition, More than a decade after having started the replacement of its 4 million analog electric counters. For example, Hydro-Québec was finally able to complete the loop thanks to the intervention of a judge who forced the last reluctant to depart from his dial apparatus.

Posted at 5:00 a.m.

Despite letters. However, formal notice and even a power cut of a few weeks, Marie-Reine Calouche fiercely opposed the installation of a digital counter at home since 2014.

Member of the Citizen Group “Refuse the counters”. In addition, the resident of Saint-Laurent, in Montreal, replacement analog meters | last argued the risk of increased fire induced by the new devices and the electromagnetic field they would create.

“Purely subjective hypotheses. In addition, fears, not supported by the slightest proof”, decided a judge by ordering him, last month, to give free access to the technicians of Hydro-Québec to his counter.

“I am disappointed. but I knew we might not win,” she said, confirming that her old replacement analog meters | last analog counter, which was still working, was indeed replaced a few days ago.

“We really cannot afford. as a citizen, to fight against Hydro,” deplored Marie-Reine Calouche, judging that she had not been able to demonstrate that she wanted for lack of means.

Hydro-Québec argued that the counter of Marie-Reine Calouche was expired and probably underestimated its electricity consumption. In addition. the Crown Corporation said he was exposed to large fines of Canada measures, a federal body responsible for ensuring the accuracy of measurement devices such as electric meters.

Smart meters – Replacement analog meters | last

Equipped with small dials. a disc whose observation has long enabled Hydro-Québec to gauge household electricity consumption, analog meters, also called mechanical meters, have been gradually replaced since 2012-2013.

And this, for the benefit of replacement analog meters | last digital, or intelligent meters, with display screens.

“These counters provide advantages for both customers. for electricity companies as in the Hydro-Québec customer area, breakdowns detection or to deploy measures in energy efficiency and power management,” said a spokesperson for the state company Louis-Olivier Batty.

The overwhelming majority (98 %) of analog meters have been replaced by so-called communicating. digital meters which transmit their information to Hydro-Québec remotely.

The Crown corporation still offers the option to its customers to provide them with. a non -communicating counter that does not emit waves. Those who opt for this avenue must, however, pay $ 85 for the device and $ 2.50 per month to cover the movement of technicians who will raise its measurements.

A tolerated situation

At the time replacement analog meters | last of the hearing in Marie-Reine Calouche’s file last February. Hydro-Québec said it almost completed the replacement site for its counters.

Of some 4.4 million gender devices in the province, only 5 still corresponded to the analog model. They have since been changed, has confirmed Hydro-Québec.

All ? No, not really. Some 1,700 analog counters remain in Aboriginal communities in the province. A situation tolerated by measures canada, we learn to read the judgment in the file of Marie-Reine Calouche.

This same organization had however imposed a fine of $ 123. 000 in Hydro-Québec in 2019 since 246 of these devices used outside the indigenous communities were then expired, but had still not been replaced.

“Without understanding too much why. this distinction according to the location of similar meters seems to replacement analog meters | last be perpetuated by the competent authorities,” writes the magistrate.

Challenges in Nunavik

Without further detail. measures Canada explained that Hydro-Québec had then taken “reasonable measures” to deal with the problems linked to the meters used on indigenous land, which was not the case for counter-community meters.

Hydro-Québec claims that part of these ultimate analog meter is in Nunavik. where “certain technological challenges in the telecommunications infrastructure” have delayed their replacement.

For the remaining counters. the state -owned company says it is working to replace their communities as part of its strategy of economic reconciliation and strengthening relations with First Nations and Inuit.

“In the end. Hydro-Québec has the right to replace the counters since they belong to him,” concludes spokesperson Louis-Olivier Batty.