Government Votes in Favour of Smart Metering

Thursday, 30 October 2008 12:42

Following Ofgems’ investigation into the advantages of new smarter meters, the 2007 energy white paper strongly recommends the immediate roll-out of smart metering systems across all meters throughout the UK. The paper proposes a five-year implementation for businesses and a ten-year plan for households.

Lord Teverson shared with parliament the recognised benefits of smart metering, stating:

 

‘This is an area in which we can enable individual households to manage their energy costs to a much greater degree, solve a lot of the other issues that come with prepayment meters, and address other technologies that create difficulties for many. Smart meters would allow people to control carbon emissions as well. This is why we all welcome the government’s intention to move forward with this.”

 

A phenomenal 47 million meters are due to be changed, states p286 of the 2007 Energy White Paper. The House of Lords are encouraging the government to reach a decision quickly. They understand that these changes are necessary in light of the fight against carbon emissions we are likely to face in the near future. Lord Hunt of King’s Heath goes on to say that:

 

‘the slowness of the government in reaching a decision…is not due to a lack of understanding of the potential for smart meters- the speeches have clearly illustrated their potential…but due to some of the practical matters that need to be addressed….’

 

…..what are the benefits? Consumers would be given better information on how to manage their energy use, they would be provided with accurate bills and gain potentially easier access to a wider range of tariffs. It is a bit of a no-brainer when one thinks about it. For suppliers too, the benefits include reduced costs through remote meter reading, better customer service through more accurate billing, and the potential to switch consumers between tariffs. For that reason, the energy white paper made clear our ambition to see smart meters rolled out. There is no question about our desire to make progress in this area.’

 

The discussion remains a hot topic at the House of Lords, with their strong support likely to change the future of metering in the UK forever. We have heard it from the top, smart metering is the way forward, for reasons of cost-effectiveness, care for the environment and human safety. Now it is a question of waiting for the green light, for the largest smart metering roll out the world has ever seen.