E.ON Selects Itron Smart Meters for its Energy Use Pilot Program

LIBERTY LAKE, Wash.—September 20, 2012—Itron, Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI) announced today it will supply E.ON, one of the largest utility companies in Hungary, with more than 7,600 smart meters for business and residential customers across the country. The deployment will begin later this month and is an expansion of an initial gas and electric meter pilot that is currently underway.

Its general packet radio service (GPRS) meters allow for automated monitoring and increased communication about energy usage. The meters will be installed at a random selection of E.ON's 2.5 million customers. Over the coming months and years, the Hungarian Energy Office will use the data derived from the smart meters to evaluate consumer energy use and efficiency.

"The automated monitoring and control will provide a wealth of new information for E.ON about energy usage, thus allowing utilities to more effectively serve their customers," said István Biró, Itron regional business unit manager. "This pilot GPRS meter installment in Hungary is only the preliminary step in increased efficiency in energy technology across the region."

E.ON serves electricity to 60% of the residents and businesses across Hungary and 28% of the country in gas. The company is leading the country in innovation with the largest smart meter pilot program in Hungary.

About E.ON in Hungary:
E.ON is Hungary’s leading energy group and for years has been one of the three largest companies by sales in the country. As a major player in the Hungarian economy, it is active in every area of creating energy value, including power generation, power and natural gas trading and supplying end consumers.

E.ON Hungária Zrt has power supply companies operating in western and eastern Hungary and gas providers in western Hungary. The Group provides nearly two and a half million customers with electricity and supplies gas to over half a million customers. The Group also operates several state-of-the-art, eco-friendly power plants with capacities of less than 100 MW. As a major player in the domestic heat energy market, the company is also the district heating supplier and partner of several cities and companies.

The Group also includes E.ON Földgáz Trade Zrt.