Entergy customers in Brookhaven will soon have new “smart” meters that can share information about usage and outages with the company.

Customers will be able to see their usage through an online tool, which can help them track and reduce electricity usage. Entergy said it can respond more quickly to outages with the new meters. The company will have a real-time picture of how the power grid is operating, and can better identify outages. This will allow crews to arrive on the scene faster to make repairs, according to the company.

Entergy expects customers to save money with the new meters, since they will be able to see how much electricity they are using and make adjustments.

“These meters are the foundation for grid modernization technologies,” said Haley Fisackerly, Entergy Mississippi president and CEO. “They will offer many benefits to our customers.”

Each “smart” meter has a network radio. The radio transmits meter readings to an access point on an electric pole near the meter. This data is then transmitted to the utility through a cellular network.

Customers will receive more information about meter upgrades before they are installed. Smart meter installation is scheduled to begin in June for Brookhaven, according to Bill Howard with Entergy.

A Metro Communications crew from Jackson was working Wednesday to install antennas for the new meters.

Entergy began the meter project statewide this year and expects to finish in 2021. Over the past two years, the company has designed and begun building the communications network and IT systems that will support the advanced meters for homes and businesses.  

The multi-year project was approved by the Mississippi Public Service Commission. Entergy Mississippi provides electricity to approximately 449,000 customers in 45 counties.