China's smart meters will reach 102.8 million by the end of 2011

According to IHSiSuppli's China Research Special Report, China will invest 250 billion U.S. dollars in the next five years to build and develop a smart grid to distribute electricity and collect electricity bills more efficiently. Large-scale construction work will start next year. China’s investment in smart grids will stimulate the development of smart meters, which are more advanced and can send electricity consumption data to the utilities responsible for monitoring and charging. Smart meters currently account for the majority of electricity meters produced in China, accounting for 86.3% of China's single-phase electricity meters and 73.3% of polyphase electricity meters. Overall, China's smart meter production is expected to reach 102.8 million by the end of 2011, an increase of 7.2% from 95.9 million last year.