First Choice Power claims that it is the first affiliated retail electric provider in Texas to offer residential prepaid service based on actual daily usage from an advanced or smart meter.
Brian Hayduk, president of First Choice Power, said: “Control First is the first prepaid product that really lets customers take control of their electricity costs and manage their usage. This is the next generation of prepaid products giving customers more visibility, more flexibility and more information so that there are no surprises at the end of the month.”
The offer will be made more broadly available later this year as more customers are able to take advantage of the smart meter-based service, the company said. There are about 800,000 installed smart meters in Texas, with stated plans by transmission and distribution companies to install an additional 1.6 million in 2010 with more added in subsequent years to total 5.7 million in 2013. Customers must have an advanced meter to be eligible for Control First.
Based in Las Colinas, Texas, First Choice Power is a subsidiary of PNM Resources, an investor-owned energy holding company.
