OEU buys more electric meters to meet demand in 2023

File photo: Keith Green, a lineman with Ocala Electric Utility, works on power lines from a bucket truck at the Eugene Dearmin substation off Southeast 36th Avenue in Ocala, Fla. on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2021.

Ocala Electric Utility Director Doug Peebles told the Ocala City Council during the Dec. 20 meeting that the utility would need to purchase an additional 1,250 electric meters to service residential and commercial customers in 2023 and beyond.

According to city documents attached to the agenda item, the city had originally planned to follow their five-year trend and order 2,500 meters. Due to an increase in planned developments, OEU needs to increase that order to 3,750. The cost of the additional meters is $750,000.

Peebles told the council that the manufacturer represented a 15- to 20-year life expectancy for the meters.