45 emerging market countries will invest $274.9 billion in smart grid infrastructure outpacing developed countries according to the annual study Emerging Markets Smart Grid: Outlook 2014. The investment will be targeted at reducing electricity theft, improving reliability and incorporating renewable energy into electricity grids.
Smart metering and advancements for transmission and distribution grids are also included in the investments. The 45 emerging countries, including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, have already deployed 9.5 million smart meters with two-way communications and this number is expected to reach 523 million by 2023. Next year, 5.6 million smart meters are projected to be deployed.
