As a longstanding and valued member of ESMIG, we are proud to celebrate a remarkable milestone with Iskraemeco – their 80th anniversary. To mark this special occasion, we had the pleasure of speaking with Thomas Petuaud-Letang, CEO of Iskraemeco, to reflect on the company’s journey, the challenges they’ve overcome, the value of their collaboration with ESMIG, and his vision for the future of smart metering and the pivotal role Iskraemeco continues to play in shaping it.
1. Iskraemeco is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year — what does this milestone mean for the company?
Reaching 80 years is a remarkable milestone that fills us with pride, gratitude, and a deep sense of responsibility. It’s a celebration of our legacy, of the generations of innovators, engineers, and visionaries who built Iskraemeco into a trusted name in the smart metering industry. But more than looking back, this anniversary is a moment to look forward- it’s about the future we are building together. It reinforces our commitment to continuous innovation, sustainability, and creating smart solutions that support the energy transition. It’s also a time to honor our people—our employees, partners, and customers—whose dedication and trust have shaped our journey.
2. How has Iskraemeco evolved over the past 80 years in the energy and water sectors?
Over the past 80 years, Iskraemeco has undergone a remarkable transformation—from a traditional metering manufacturer to a global provider of intelligent, sustainable solutions for the energy and water sectors. Starting with electromechanical electricity meters, we embraced digitalisation, smart technologies, and data-driven services to deliver end-to-end metering systems, advanced analytics, and integrated digital platforms that drive efficiency, empower consumers, and support the green transition. Our expertise today extends to smart water management, helping utilities reduce losses and optimise operations. With 1500 employees and a presence in over 80 countries across 4 continents, Iskraemeco combines local expertise and resources with a strong, unified commitment to innovation, quality and sustainability. A key milestone on this journey is the production of over 100 million electricity meters, reinforcing our role as a trusted partner in creating a smarter, more sustainable future.
3. Iskraemeco is a proud member of ESMIG — how has this cooperation benefited the company and the industry?
Our cooperation with ESMIG has been immensely beneficial. It has provided us with a platform to collaborate with other industry leaders, share knowledge, and influence and ability to participate in the development of smart metering standards and policies that facilitate the seamless rollout of smart metering technologies. This partnership has helped us stay at the forefront of technological innovation and has strengthened our position in the market as well as facilitated compliance with evolving regulations. It’s becoming crucial that all stakeholders recognise the value of smart meters and the powerful role their data can play in transforming how we manage information—ultimately driving smarter energy use and greater efficiency in consumption.
4. What are some of the key initiatives Iskraemeco and ESMIG have worked on together?
Together with ESMIG, we have worked on several key initiatives aimed at promoting smart metering and energy efficiency. These include the development of interoperability standards, advocacy for supportive regulatory frameworks, and participation in pilot projects that demonstrate the benefits of smart metering technologies. Through our collaboration within ESMIG, we managed to address several crucial topics that are vital for the smart metering industry and the competitiveness of the entire EU economy like:
- Facilitating the deployment of smart meters, which provide essential data for new services such as energy management and demand response.
- Enhancing the integration of smart meters into the Smart Grid, with a strong focus on security which ESMIG proactively coordinates at the EU level.
As a result of these activities, smart meters are becoming an integral part of critical infrastructure.
5. What are some of the major challenges Iskraemeco has overcome in its 80-year journey?
Throughout our 80-year journey, Iskraemeco has faced and successfully overcome numerous challenges, each one shaping us into the resilient and innovative company we are today. From navigating geopolitical changes and market transitions to adapting to the rapid pace of technological evolution, our ability to remain agile and forward-thinking has been key. We’ve weathered economic downturns, shifted from electromechanical to digital technologies, and transformed our business model to meet the demands of a smarter, more connected world. We’ve addressed this by investing heavily in R&D, strengthening our partnerships, and focusing on long-term value creation for our customers.
6. Can you describe Iskraemeco’s current role in the smart metering industry?
Today, our role goes far beyond delivering meters—we are a comprehensive solution provider, supporting utilities, cities, and end-users in their digital and green transitions. We offer end-to-end solutions that include smart electricity and water metering, grid edge intelligence, digital platforms, data analytics, and energy-as-a-service models. Combined with our commitment to sustainability and customer-centricity, this positions Iskraemeco as a trusted and strategic partner in building intelligent and resilient infrastructures worldwide.
7. What role has innovation played in Iskraemeco’s success over the decades?
Innovation has been the cornerstone of Iskraemeco’s success and growth from the early days on. Each decade brought new technological challenges and opportunities, and Iskraemeco consistently responded with forward-thinking solutions. But for us innovation is not limited to technology, it extends to our business models, sustainability practices, and customer partnerships. Besides the transition from electromechanical to electronic meters, the introduction of smart metering was one of most transformative periods for Iskraemeco. This innovation revolutionised the way utilities and consumers manage energy and water usage and positioned us as a leader in the smart metering industry. Our smart metering solutions have since evolved to include advanced features such as real-time data exchange, enhanced energy management, and improved grid efficiency. In recent years, our focus on sustainability has driven us to develop products and solutions that promote energy efficiency. The ongoing digital transformation has seen us leverage emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the Internet of Things to enhance our product offerings and services. Additionally, our innovations in data management solutions, has enabled us to provide real-time insights, improve data accuracy, and optimize energy usage, ultimately leading to better energy efficiency and cost savings for our customer.
8. How does Iskraemeco envision the future of smart metering and its role in it? Where do you still see biggest opportunities?
We see smart metering as a key enabler of the digital transformation of the energy sector aimed at improving the overall efficiency and reliability of energy distribution. The future of smart metering goes far beyond the simple measurement of consumption – it lies in the integration of smart metering with other smart grid technologies, the use of data analytics to optimise energy usage, and the development of new business models that enhance customer engagement and sustainability. Leveraging big data and AI, we plan to provide deeper insights into energy consumption patterns, enabling utilities and consumers to make more informed decisions. This approach not only optimises energy usage but also supports the transition to a more sustainable energy system. The integration of IoT technologies and advanced communication networks also presents significant opportunities for real-time data exchange, demand-side flexibility and enhanced grid management. Smart meters can facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources into the grid, supporting the transition to a more sustainable energy system. With increasing government initiatives and regulatory mandates aimed at promoting smart metering, there is substantial opportunity for growth in this sector.
9. How does Iskraemeco plan to address the growing demand for energy efficiency and sustainability in the smart metering industry?
We recognise that energy efficiency and sustainability are no longer optional—they are essential. Our approach therefore is multifaceted, focusing on innovation, integration, and customer-centric solutions. To address growing energy demand, we are continuously innovating our portfolio to include advanced, data-driven solutions that go beyond metering. We are also embedding sustainability into every aspect of our operations—from eco-design principles in product development to responsible sourcing, circular economy initiatives, and carbon footprint reduction across our value chain. Moreover, through strong partnerships, digitalisation, and the development of energy-as-a-service models, we aim to enable our customers to make smarter decisions that contribute to their own sustainability goals. In short, we are not only adapting to the changes in our industry—we are helping to shape them, with a clear vision for a sustainable energy ecosystem.
10. What roles should Iskraemeco and ESMIG jointly undertake to shape the future of the smart metering business in Europe?
Iskraemeco and ESMIG should advance the smart metering business in Europe by actively promoting technology adoption and accelerating the deployment of next-generation smart meters that support the energy transition. Together, we have to advocate for greater standardisation and stronger cybersecurity measures to ensure interoperability, resilience, and the protection of critical infrastructure. Close collaboration with EU authorities will be essential to navigate complex geopolitical dynamics and to help shape policies that recognise the key role smart meters play in enabling data-driven services for market participants. By ensuring fair competition, and aligning with regulatory frameworks, Iskraemeco and ESMIG can contribute to a more secure, sustainable, and efficient European energy landscape.
11. What message would you like to convey to your customers and partners as Iskraemeco celebrates its 80th anniversary?
As we celebrate 80 years of innovation, growth, and shared success, I want to take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you to all our customers, partners, and employees. Your trust, support and collaboration have been instrumental in our journey, and together, we have achieved this incredible milestone. This anniversary is not just a celebration of our past—it’s a reaffirmation of our commitment to you. It is about looking ahead with renewed energy and purpose. We are more focused than ever on delivering innovative solutions that empower your operations, enhance energy efficiency, and support the transition to a greener world. With eight decades behind us, we carry the experience, knowledge, and passion needed to keep pushing boundaries. And more than anything, we’re excited about the future we’ll continue to build—together.
Thank you for being an essential part of the Iskraemeco journey. We look forward to the next chapter of successful collaboration, progress, and creating value for all for the coming 80 years!
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