Xcel Energy’s Minot division customers will be getting smart electric meters at their homes and businesses later this year. Xcel announced the rollout of the new meters in North Dakota at an event in Fargo this week.

Smart meters will give customers near real-time energy use data that they will be able to access through the company’s app or website. Customers also will have access to programs and services that will help them better understand their energy usage and how to improve efficiency and find more savings.

Minot is scheduled to receive the meters in the fourth quarter of this year. Customers in Burlington, Des Lacs, Berthold and the townships of Burlington, Harrison, Kirkelie, Nedrose and Sundre also will receive the meters in the fourth quarter. Customers will start to receive notifications three months in advance of receiving a new smart meter.

“We’re excited to take this next step in building a smarter, more resilient and efficient energy grid and making it easier than ever for customers to understand and manage their energy use,” said Ryan Long, president of Xcel Energy – Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota, in a news release. “Smart meters are the starting point for this advanced grid, boosting reliability and providing new tools and technology to help customers lower costs.”

Xcel Energy reports it has made significant investments in the power grid serving North Dakota customers over the past decade, primarily by boosting the capacity and reliability of the system through new and improved lines and substations. The next step in this modernization includes new tools and technology, such as smart meters that not only empower customers to manage their energy use better but improve reliability and help Xcel Energy restore power more quickly after an outage.

The first meters will be installed in Fargo and West Fargo starting this week as Xcel Energy sets out to install the new devices for its 100,000 North Dakota customers into 2025. Xcel also serves Grand Forks and several smaller communities in eastern North Dakota.