9/29/2025
Smart Metering in Spain: the current situation and the future of remote meter reading in the water sector
The digitalisation of the water cycle is advancing rapidly in Spain thanks to the widespread adoption of smart meters and remote reading systems. In recent years, the sector has seen significant growth, driven in part by public investment in the digitalisation of water infrastructure.
According to the XVIII DAQUAS Study, presented in December 2025 with data from 2024, the number of water meters in the country has reached around 22 million units, 38% of which are already equipped with digital remote reading. This represents a very significant increase compared to the previous study from 2020, when the uptake of remote reading stood at just 19%. This rapid progress highlights how the digital transformation of the water sector has now entered a phase of acceleration.
A rapidly evolving meter fleet
With 22 million drinking water meters installed, Spain has one of the most extensive metering infrastructures in Europe. However, the transition to fully digital systems is still underway.
The proportion of meters equipped with remote reading has risen to 38% of the total, but the change is even more evident when looking at data collection methods. In the space of a few years, remote reading has risen from 14% of commercial readings to 43%, overtaking for the first time the handheld terminal reading system, which had been the most widespread method for years, particularly in large municipalities.
This shift marks an important transition towards a consumption management model based on automatic and up-to-date data, enabling utilities to improve operational efficiency and service quality.
The role of public investment
One of the main factors that has accelerated the roll-out of smart metering is the public funding programme aimed at the digitalisation of the water cycle.
Through the PERTE for the Digitalisation of the Water Cycle, promoted by the Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica y el Reto Demográfico, €750 million in direct aid has been allocated between 2022 and 2024.
The funds distributed through five calls for proposals were:
- €550 million allocated to the urban water cycle
- €200 million dedicated to the irrigation sector
This programme has played a decisive role in increasing the uptake of smart meters and digital water data management platforms.
Digitization
Major smart metering projects
The rapid growth of remote meter reading is evident when looking at some of the major implementation projects across the country.
Among the most notable examples is Canal de Isabel II, the main water utility in the Madrid region. By December 2025, the company had installed over one million smart meters, out of a total of around 1.6 million supply points, with the aim of achieving full coverage by the end of 2026.
Another significant example is EMASESA, the water company serving the Seville metropolitan area, which in April 2025 achieved a remote meter reading penetration rate of 73.6%.
These projects demonstrate that the digitalisation of water services is no longer limited to pilot initiatives, but is becoming a reality on a large scale.
The technologies employed
From a technological perspective, utilities are adopting various solutions to ensure the connectivity of smart meters.
Among the most widely used technologies are:
- NB-IoT, currently the dominant solution in large urban contracts;
- LoRaWAN, which maintains a significant presence in various projects;
- LTE-M, used in some advanced implementations.
Many of the most recent tenders now require multi-protocol compatibility, allowing systems to communicate across multiple technologies to ensure greater flexibility and resilience.
Innovation
The level of remote meter reading penetration
Despite the growth seen in recent years, the uptake of remote meter reading is not uniform across the country. A few examples clearly illustrate the differences between operators:
- EMASESA: 73.6% remote meter reading (April 2025);
- Canal de Isabel II: 62.5% (December 2025);
- National average: 38% according to the DAQUAS 2025 study;
- Previous average: 19% according to the AEAS-AGA study of 2022.
These figures demonstrate that the sector is undergoing a period of strong expansion, but also that there is still considerable scope for further development.
Although smart meters are becoming increasingly widespread, one of the main challenges lies in transforming utilities’ operating models. Installing remotely read meters does not automatically mean that the full potential of the data collected is being exploited. To reap the full benefits of smart metering, it is necessary to integrate the information into management systems, develop analytics platforms and adapt operational processes. In other words, true transformation is not just about technology, but also about the organisation and corporate culture of utilities.
Terranova’s approach: a multi-protocol and multi-technology platform
The management of smart meters, regardless of the technology they use, is far more complex than one might think. Our approach in this regard is specifically designed to meet the needs of distributors who, for various reasons, use meters from different manufacturers and, above all, with different communication technologies and protocols. Our smart metering platform, TAMM (Terranova Advanced Metering Management), is capable of managing all communication protocols and technologies available on the market without any restrictions. This allows distributors who choose TAMM to maximise the potential of smart metering and to adopt whatever mix of meters suits their needs, whether they are already installed or yet to be purchased.
Furthermore, as a company that has specialised in smart metering ever since it first began to gain traction in the utilities market, we have accumulated a wealth of experience, enabling us to follow the sector’s evolution right from the very first meters deployed. Our expertise is based not only on the study of specifications and documentation but also on real-world experience, having carried out numerous projects in collaboration with clients and partners. Our understanding of the evolution of all types of meters and their technologies means we are well-equipped to remotely manage and read them effectively, as well as being ready when new technologies emerge.
Towards the future of smart metering
The Spanish smart metering market is currently experiencing a phase of rapid growth. The combination of public investment, technological innovation and the need to improve the efficiency of water grids is driving the sector towards increasingly advanced digitalisation.
In the coming years, it will be essential not only to continue expanding remote meter reading, but also to develop analytical tools and management systems capable of transforming the data collected into operational value.
Only in this way can the sector make a definitive transition from a simple digitisation of infrastructure to a true model of smart water management.
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