The electricity retailer has 8500 customers on Network Waitaki stretching from the Shag River to the south, north to the Waitaki River and inland to Omarama and Ohau.
''We are offering free upgrades this year and next and we expect to install over 8000 meters,'' company spokeswoman Michelle Brooker said.
She said there had been a ''small percentage'' of people had requested not to have the meters installed.
''We encourage customers to talk to us if they have any questions about smart meter technology.''
Meanwhile, opponents of the meters' installation are encouraging people to view a documentary on Oamaru television station, 45 South.
The documentary Take Back Your Power will be screened on the channel this weekend and the next.
''The documentary explains a lot of things from a scientific and medical point of view; it also explains what is going on around the world,'' said Susan Maxwell, who was one of the organisers of two meetings last month opposing the installations.
''California is taking them out; they've had them 10 years. We're behind them but we will follow world trends.''
Mrs Maxwell said the problem of smart meters was the radiation which was emitted from them and the risks to health which that presented.
Meridian Energy disputed that view, however, as did Trust Power and Contact Energy which has around 2500 customers in the area.
The electricity retailers consider there was no evidence which showed smart meters presented risk to health and the environment.
Mrs Maxwell said the meters meant there would be a constant, ''drip-feed emission'' which people would have in their homes.
''You don't have to have them; you can keep the meter you have.''
Mrs Maxwell said the aim of those opposing the meters was to inform people who could then make their own decisions.
Meridian Energy said general information about exposure standards and health effects was available from the National Radiation Laboratory of Environmental Science and Research (ESR): www.esr.cri.nz/competencies/nrl/faq/Pages/SmartMeters.aspx.
• Chris Tobin
