LIBERTY LAKE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Itron Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI) announced today that it has delivered 100,000
residential gas meters, 8,500 commercial meters and two test benches to
Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales Bolivianos (YPFB), the state-owned
petroleum and gas company in Bolivia.
Itron was contracted after a decision by the Bolivian government to give
residents access to Bolivia's own natural gas supplies for their homes,
instead of having to import more expensive liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Itron is the sole supplier of the 100,000 residential and 8,500
commercial meters to YPFB, as well as two test benches. With a local
factory in Argentina, Itron was able to provide more delivery
flexibility and efficient, timely support in Spanish. Strong pre-sales
service and close collaboration with its distributor Mashmedic supported
Itron in obtaining this project. Itron also provided training on
metrology, the use of test benches and gas measurement so YPFB would be
ready when the new meters were rolled out.
This contract is the first step in a five-year plan to install 500,000
meters across the country. Previously, most of Bolivia's natural gas had
been exported to Brazil and Argentina, with most homes utilizing
imported LPG as their primary energy source due to the lack of
infrastructure to use the country's own gas supplies. With the
government's new initiative, Bolivian residents will now have access to
a more affordable resource and natural gas exports will continue.
Oscar López, gas network manager, YPFB said, "This is a real turnaround
for residents of Bolivia. Using our natural gas will mean much cheaper
bills for our residents. It makes more sense to use our own supplies
than to import more expensive LPG. With Itron's help, we know we will
have quality products to help us move forward with this change."
Marcel Regnier, senior vice president and COO, Itron International,
commented, "Itron is proud to participate in such a sustainable program
that will help secure more affordable energy for the people of Bolivia.
We have both the global experience to provide high quality products and
the local presence to ensure flexible deliveries, as well as customized
and efficient support from our regional factory."
About Itron:
At Itron, we're dedicated to delivering end-to-end smart grid and smart
distribution solutions to electric, gas and water utilities around the
globe. Our company is the world's leading provider of smart metering,
data collection and utility software systems, with nearly 8,000
utilities worldwide relying on our technology to optimize the delivery
and use of energy and water. Our offerings include electricity, gas,
water and heat meters; network communication technology; collection
systems and related software applications; and professional services. To
realize your smarter energy and water future, start here: www.itron.com.
About YPFB:
Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales Bolivianos (YPFB) is the state-owned
petrol company of Bolivia whose 9 subsidiaries have full control over
development, extraction, and commercialization for the domestic and
export markets of Bolivia's petroleum and natural gas.
Itron Inc.
Ranny Dwiggins
Vice President, Investor Relations
509-891-3443
ranny.dwiggins@itron.com
or
Isabelle
Sèvegrand
Director, International Communications Director
+33
5 49 62 70 44
isabelle.sevegrand@itron.com
or
Sharelynn
Moore
Director, Itron Marketing & Communications
509-891-3524
sharelynn.moore@itron.com
www.itron.com
Source: Itron Inc.
News Provided by Acquire Media
