PNM Began Statewide Smart Meter Rollout in September
New Mexico businesses should anticipate grid transition impacts as PNM moves to replace manual meter reading.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Utilities
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Public Service Company of New Mexico launched a statewide smart meter installation project in September 2026. The two-and-a-half-year initiative will equip 560,000 customers with new technology.
Why it matters
The transition replaces manual meter reading with two-way communication technology, a shift that carries long-term implications for utility billing accuracy and grid demand management. This deployment occurs as the utility faces regulatory scrutiny regarding recent billing practices.
PNM is installing 560,000 smart meters at a cost of $185 million, part of a larger $344 million grid modernization plan approved in 2024. Currently, only 290 customers possess the new technology.
The players
Public Service Company of New Mexico
The largest electricity provider in New Mexico, managing the state's transmission and distribution infrastructure.
Itron Inc.
A global technology company that manufactures smart energy metering hardware and data management systems for utilities.
Raúl Torrez
The New Mexico Attorney General who has requested formal justification regarding the utility's recent billing practices.
The details
The rollout uses Itron Inc. devices to enable real-time, two-way communication between the utility and the end user. PNM is utilizing contractors to maintain operational staffing levels while phasing out the traditional manual meter reader role. To address potential billing gaps, the utility offers true-up mechanisms for accounts where historical usage estimates were used during the transition.
Timeline
September 2026: PNM began installing smart meters statewide.
August 2026: Electric consumption reached an all-time high.
Spring 2027: Deployment begins in the southwest service territory.
End of 2028: Target completion date for all meter installations.
Market Landscape
This rollout represents the active implementation phase of the $344 million grid modernization plan approved by the Public Regulation Commission in 2024. It follows a decade of regulatory friction, including the Commission's rejection of PNM's previous smart meter request in 2018.
Operators should review utility billing statements closely for true-up adjustments as the installation process continues in their specific territory. Track peak-demand signals as the utility uses new communication capabilities to manage historical highs in consumption.
The takeaway
The move toward smart meters is designed to shift PNM away from manual labor, meaning billing cycles and data collection methods will change significantly through 2028. Businesses should verify their account data with the utility to ensure estimated usage is properly corrected during the transition.
Further reading
For broader context on energy infrastructure developments, see the Utilities section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Abqjournal.
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