ASHLAND, Ky. October 19, 2026 – Kentucky Power, an American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) company, will begin installing new Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) for customers across its service territory beginning this month.
Kentucky Power filed its Advanced Metering Infrastructure deployment plan with the Kentucky Public Service Commission in November 2024. The Commission approved the plan in July 2025 following its review of the project’s costs and benefits, paving the way Kentucky Power to modernize its meter technology and enhance service for customers. Installation will begin in the Ashland area and northeastern Kentucky starting in October before expanding throughout the company’s service territory over the next two years.
“Updating our electric meters is another step in our ongoing efforts to improve the service we provide our customers,” said Michele Ross, Kentucky Power’s vice president of operations. “The new meters will give customers better information about their energy use while helping Kentucky Power respond to outages more efficiently and continue providing reliable electric service.”
The new electric meters, also known as smart meters, will provide customers with more timely information about their energy use while helping Kentucky Power improve outage response and overall system operations. The meters automatically transmit readings, eliminating routine manual meter readings and improving billing accuracy.
The meters will replace Kentucky Power’s existing Automated Meter Reading (AMR) system, which is reaching the end of its service life. As manufacturers discontinue support for the current technology, replacement equipment and repairs are becoming increasingly difficult and more expensive.
How Advanced Meters Work
Advanced Metering Infrastructure uses secure, two-way wireless communication to measure and record electricity usage. The information is automatically transmitted to Kentucky Power, providing more accurate and timely meter readings while allowing customers to better understand how and when they use electricity.
Advanced Meter Benefits
New meters will provide customers access to usage data and help crews address outages faster.
The new meters provide customers with additional tools and information to better understand and manage their energy use, including:
• Improved outage response – Advanced meters can automatically notify Kentucky Power when power is interrupted, helping crews identify outages and restore service more efficiently.
• More insight into energy usage – Customers will be able to view their electricity use before their monthly bill is available, helping them better understand how energy use impacts their bill.
• Better energy management – Detailed usage information can help customers identify opportunities to save energy by understanding when they use the most electricity.
• No manual meter readings – Smart meters automatically communicate usage information to Kentucky Power, eliminating the need for routine manual meter readings.
New Meter Installation Process
Kentucky Power will notify customers before installations begin in their area through direct mail, email and phone calls. Additional reminders may be provided as installation dates approach. Customers are encouraged to update their contact information so these notifications can be received.
Installation typically takes only a few minutes. Customers do not need to be home during the installation, although there will be a brief interruption in electric service while the existing meter is replaced. Customers may need to reset clocks or other electronic devices following installation. Once the installation is complete, or if rescheduling the replacement is necessary, a notification will be left at the residence or business.
For the safety of customers and crews, installation personnel will be Kentucky Power employees or authorized contractors wearing company identification and driving clearly marked vehicles.
Kentucky Power, headquartered in Ashland, provides electric service to approximately 162,000 customers in 20 eastern Kentucky counties, including Boyd, Breathitt, Carter, Clay, Elliott, Floyd, Greenup, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Leslie, Letcher, Lewis, Magoffin, Martin, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike, and Rowan. Kentucky Power is an AEP company, one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity and custom energy solutions to 5.4 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, with headquarters in Columbus, Ohio.