Itron and American Samoa Power Authority Expand Collaboration to Modernize the Grid in American Samoa

Rhea-AI Summary

Itron (NASDAQ: ITRI) has expanded its partnership with the American Samoa Power Authority (ASPA) to modernize the electricity distribution network across five South Pacific islands. ASPA will implement Itron's Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) solution to serve approximately 50,000 residents.

The deployment includes Gen5 CENTRON® II electric smart meters, Gen5 communication network, iPay integration for smart payments, and UtilityIQ® software suite. This modernization is particularly significant as American Samoa's electricity prices are 3.5 times higher than the U.S. average, and the territory must generate all its electricity locally.

The solution aims to improve operational efficiency, billing accuracy, and customer satisfaction while enabling real-time insights and flexible payment options in ASPA's challenging tropical environment.

Positive

• Solution addresses critical need in region with electricity costs 3.5x higher than U.S. average
• Expansion of existing partnership demonstrates successful track record
• Technology specifically designed for challenging tropical climate and remote locations
• Provides multiple revenue streams through hardware, software, and ongoing support services

Negative

• Implementation in remote island environment may present logistical challenges
• Success depends on customer adoption of new payment systems and usage monitoring

Insights

Utility Technology Analyst

Itron's contract with ASPA expands its footprint in isolated markets with high energy costs, demonstrating demand for its AMI solutions.

This expanded partnership with the American Samoa Power Authority represents a strategic win for Itron in a high-value market where electricity costs are 3.5 times higher than the U.S. average. The deal's significance lies not just in the immediate revenue, but in validating Itron's technology for isolated island utilities with challenging logistics and extreme climate conditions.

The comprehensive deployment includes Itron's Gen5 CENTRON® II smart meters, Gen5 communication network, UtilityIQ® software, and iPay prepayment integration – a full-stack solution that addresses ASPA's specific needs for remote monitoring, operational efficiency, and flexible customer payment options. What's particularly noteworthy is that this represents an expansion from previous smaller-scale deployments, indicating customer satisfaction and technology validation.

For context, American Samoa's isolated position creates unique energy challenges that Itron's technology directly addresses. The utility serves approximately 50,000 residents across five islands with no external power connections, making grid efficiency and conservation critically important. Itron's AMI solution provides the real-time insights needed to optimize electricity delivery in this challenging environment.

This deployment demonstrates Itron's execution of its growth strategy targeting utilities undergoing digital transformation, particularly in markets where energy efficiency delivers outsized economic benefits. The technology's emphasis on prepayment options is especially relevant for high-cost energy markets, where customer payment flexibility and usage visibility can significantly improve utility economics.

09/17/2025 - 04:05 PM

Itron’s AMI Solution to Improve Utility’s Operational Efficiency and Enhance Customer Satisfaction

LIBERTY LAKE, Wash., Sept. 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Itron, Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI), which is innovating new ways for utilities and cities to manage energy and water, is joining forces with the American Samoa Power Authority (ASPA) to modernize its electricity distribution network. ASPA will deploy Itron’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) solution, including smart electric meters, UtilityIQ® headend application suite and iPay prepayment software, to improve operational efficiency, billing accuracy and customer satisfaction as part of ASPA’s digital transformation roadmap.

ASPA provides electricity, water, wastewater and solid waste management services to about 50,000 residents across five islands in the South Pacific. As an isolated island territory, American Samoa must generate all its own electricity and has some of the highest electricity prices in the world. In 2023, the utility’s average electricity price was 3.5 times higher than the U.S. average.

To optimize the delivery of electricity and encourage conservation, ASPA will deploy Itron’s AMI solution, which will give the utility greater visibility into electricity meter data while empowering ASPA customers to reduce their consumption with detailed energy usage insights. The solution is designed to be flexible, scalable and well-suited for ASPA’s remote island environment, with ongoing firmware updates, technical support and training to ensure long-term operational success.

The deployment includes several Itron technologies designed to perform in American Samoa’s tropical climate:

1. Solid-State Residential Smart Meters – Itron’s Gen5 CENTRON® II electric smart meter has advanced AMI functionality, enabling applications that reduce field service costs, improve credit management and support services like prepaid metering.
2. Gen5 Communication Network – Itron’s Gen5 network delivers reliable, long-range connectivity with built-in security and distributed intelligence, ideal for ASPA’s remote island environment.
3. iPay integration – To give its customers flexible payment options, ASPA will work with Itron partner iPay for smart payment processing, helping customers reduce energy usage and save money through flexible billing.
4. Headend Software Application Suite – Itron’s UtilityIQ software will collect and manage consumption data from electricity meters, enabling real-time insights and operational control.

“This project marks a significant step in ASPA’s digital transformation journey, enabling smarter electric management across our geographically dispersed and logistically challenging service territory. We look forward to expanding our collaboration with Itron by deploying its proven, scalable AMI solution. Together, we will strengthen our overall energy infrastructure while providing our customers with greater insight into their electricity usage and the convenience of digital and prepayment options,” said Isikeli Ongosia, MCS Manager ICT as ASPA.

“We’ve previously worked together with ASPA on smaller-scale deployments, most recently to streamline meter reading processes and improve data collection accuracy prior to the transition to AMI,” said John Marcolini, senior vice president of Networked Solutions at Itron. “Fast-forward to today, ASPA is undergoing a full-scale digital transformation, and we are thrilled to continue our collaboration to help modernize ASPA’s network and strengthen the grid edge.”

About Itron

Itron is a proven global leader in energy, water, smart city, IIoT and intelligent infrastructure services. For utilities, cities and society, we build innovative systems, create new efficiencies, connect communities, encourage conservation and increase resourcefulness. By safeguarding our invaluable natural resources today and tomorrow, we improve the quality of life for people around the world. Join us: www.itron.com.

Itron^®, the Itron Logo, UtilityIQ and CENTRON are registered trademarks of Itron, Inc in the United States and other countries and regions. All third-party trademarks are property of their respective owners, and any usage herein does not suggest or imply any relationship between Itron and the third party unless expressly stated.

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding Itron’s products and services. These statements are based on current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially.

For additional information, contact:

Itron, Inc.

Alison Mallahan
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
509-891-3802
PR@Itron.com

Paul Vincent
Vice President, Investor Relations
512-560-1172
Investors@itron.com

Itron, Inc.

• LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/itroninc
• X: www.x.com/itroninc
• Newsroom: https://itron.com/newsroom
• Blog: https://itron.com/blog

FAQ

What is the scope of Itron's new contract with American Samoa Power Authority (ASPA)?

Itron will deploy its Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) solution, including smart electric meters, UtilityIQ® software, and iPay prepayment integration, serving approximately 50,000 residents across five islands.

How will Itron's AMI solution benefit ASPA customers?

The solution will provide customers with detailed energy usage insights, flexible payment options, and the ability to reduce consumption in a region where electricity costs are 3.5 times higher than the U.S. average.

What specific technologies is Itron implementing for ASPA?

Itron is implementing Gen5 CENTRON® II electric smart meters, Gen5 communication network, iPay integration for payments, and UtilityIQ® software suite for data management.

Why did ASPA choose to expand its partnership with Itron?

ASPA chose Itron based on their previous successful collaborations and Itron's ability to provide technology specifically designed for tropical climates and remote island environments.

How will Itron's solution help improve ASPA's operations?

The solution will improve operational efficiency, billing accuracy, and provide real-time insights into electricity meter data while reducing field service costs.