China has been representing the fastest recovery in economy globally and foreseen to reach 8.2% growth rate of GDP in 2009. China is expecting stable and even faster growth in economy, strong energy demand and consumption in the coming five years and even longer.

China power industry had been dismantled into two power grid operators (State Power Grid Corp of China and South China Power Grid Corp) and Five Power Generation Group Companies in 2003. Since then a series of reforms have been introduced and tremendous changes/achievements have been made. In May 2009, China announced to build strong & smart grids by year 2020 with investing 4 trillion RMB (approximately 600 billion USD) by three steps.

China's electricity customer base occupies the first position in Asia, even in the world, with a total estimated 480 million consumers. With the general plan of building smart grids, China is currently deploying smart metering projects with an estimated budget approximately $10 billion USD encompassing 200 million smart meters to be installed in the coming five years. It can be imagined that the need and requirement for better quality, smart technologies and solutions as well as the driving engines from the smart grid initiatives, the economic growth, rising energy demand and consumption and ongoing energy reforms from the industry.

China has already become the biggest manufacturers and users of utility meters and components/parts in the world. The deployment of smart metering projects in China nationwide will continue not only to drive the China market growth especially creating huge business opportunities for electronic parts/components, semiconductors, and system solution as well as communication technology providers, but also attract smart buyers from all over the world to source smart metering and smart grids products from China, as well as investors to seek investment opportunities in this region.

METERINGChina 2010 – The 4th China Smart Metering, Billing, AMR/Data Management and CRM & CIS Conference & Exhibition will be the strategic and technical premier platform for utility leaders and industry professionals in this region. This event will furnish strategies and insights that shaping the metering market places today and the future for both local and international industry leaders and professionals.

From the past three years METERINGChina events, we have been aware that the fast changes and development of metering industry in China have brought a greater impact to other international utilities, especially to those in Asia, METERINGChina has become a premier platform for Chinese and Asian utility leaders and professionals to exchange insights, strategies and experiences and networking annually.

On behalf of the event management and our teams, I warmly welcome you to participate in this annual leading event by exhibiting, speaking and sponsoring as well as attending the conference.

Looking forward to seeing you in Xi’an, China

Angela LIN
Head of GSL Events
GSL Consulting Group
Email: angela.lin@gsl-consulting.com