Michigan’s utilities sector is about to become a lot smarter thanks to a $48 million contract awarded to Vancouver-based Corix Utilities.
The eight-year contract with Consumer Energy will see to the installation of 1.8 million smart electric meters in Michigan beginning in August 2012.
“Corix is very excited about our relationship with Consumers Energy on the next phase of this project,” Kevin Meagher, vice-president and COO for Corix Utilities U.S., said in a press release.
The project is part of Consumer Energy’s Smart Grid Development Program, which aims to optimize customer’s energy with meters.
Corix has been active both in the U.S. and Canada, with previous U.S. contracts in place in New York and California.
Closer to home, in January BC Hydro awarded Corix the contact to provide more than 1.8 million meters to homes and businesses in B.C. as part of Hydro’s Smart Metering Program.
The program looks to offer more detailed information about energy use, make power outage identification quicker and reduce energy theft.
More recently, Northwest Territories government awarded a $13.8 million contract to Corix to design and build new water treatment plants in remote First Nations communities.
Corix is a privately owned company with more than 60 locations across North America. It specializes in products and utility solutions for sustainable infrastructure in the water, wastewater and energy sectors.
Jen O’Rourke
Twitter:jroar