Mexico’s state power company is developing a new generation of electric meters with Bluetooth connectivity, a move that could eliminate the estimated billing that has long frustrated customers and give them real-time visibility into their energy use.
The Comisión Federal de Electricidad, better known as the CFE, confirmed the project as part of a broader push to modernize the country’s electricity distribution network. CFE Director General Emilia Calleja Alor announced the initiative, describing it as a cornerstone of the company’s modernization strategy.
The new meters are designed to connect wirelessly to smart home assistants such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. That means a homeowner could simply ask a device how much electricity has been used so far this month — and get an answer. For those without a smart speaker, the connection would also work through a smartphone.
The bigger operational shift is on the CFE’s end. The system would allow technicians to perform meter readings, disconnect service, and restore power remotely, around the clock. That solves a persistent headache: accessing meters inside gated communities, apartment buildings, or homes where no one is available to let workers in.
Irán Rey Galero Trejo, head of the Advanced Measurement Laboratory at the Valle de México Norte Distribution Division, explained the technical architecture behind the rollout. Each meter, he said, can function as a local hub connecting up to 500 other devices — without requiring extra infrastructure in the street. The system operates under a framework called Amade, an autonomous energy distribution measurement architecture.
“It is self-sustaining,” Galero Trejo said. “A meter integrated into the home ecosystem will serve as an access point for up to 500 meters.” He added that the Bluetooth module is built to last as long as the physical meter itself — meaning no additional replacement cycles.
Accurate billing is one of the most-cited goals. Overcharging based on estimated readings, rather than actual meter data, has been a chronic complaint in Mexico, particularly in the Yucatán Peninsula, where electricity rates are among the highest in the country. Yucatán’s grid has also faced scrutiny over reliability, with surging demand outpacing generation capacity and frequent blackouts affecting homes and businesses alike.
The new system promises to replace estimates with precise, real-time data — and to make that data auditable by the customer, not just the utility. Reconnection after a service interruption would also happen faster, since it could be done remotely rather than requiring a truck and crew.
As for when any of this arrives at your door: not yet. The CFE has not announced a rollout date or timeline. The project remains in development, and implementation is expected to be gradual. El Financiero reported the initiative has been in the works since at least March.
Smart Meter Rollout: At a Glance
- Who: Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE)
- What: New electric meters with Bluetooth connectivity
- Compatible with: Smart home assistants (Alexa, Google Assistant) and smartphones
- Key features: Real-time consumption data, remote readings, remote disconnection/reconnection
- Hub capacity: Each meter can serve as an access point for up to 500 nearby meters
- Technology: Amade autonomous distribution measurement architecture
- Rollout date: No date announced; project currently in development
- Billing impact: Aims to eliminate estimated charges with precise, real-time data
Source: Diario de Yucatán