Smart meters to be rolled out

The Government has published plans for the national rollout of smart electricity meters nationwide over the next few years.

They have set out the overall timetable for the installing 53 million smart meters in 30 million homes and businesses across Great Britain, estimated to have a net benefit to the nation of £7.3 billion over the next twenty years.

Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Chris Huhne said:

“Smart meters are a key part of giving us all more control over how we use energy at home and at work, helping us to cut out waste and save money.

“In combination with our plans to reform the electricity market and introduce the Green Deal for home and businesses, the rollout of smart meters will help us keep the lights on while reducing emissions and getting the best possible deal for the consumer.”

Smart meters will deliver a range of benefits to consumers, energy suppliers and networks:

• Consumers will have real time information on their energy consumption to help them control energy use, save money and reduce emissions. By 2020, the average consumer (with both electricity and gas) is expected to save around £23 per year on their energy bill as a result of smart metering. There will also be an end to estimated billing.
• Suppliers will have access to accurate data for billing, allowing them to improve their customer service and reduce costs, for example by reducing call centre traffic, ending visits by meter readers, and better debt management.
• Energy networks will have better information with which to manage and plan current activities as well as the move towards smart grids to support sustainable energy supplies.

The rollout of smart meters will take place in two phases. During the foundation stage, beginning now, the Government will work with industry, consumer groups and other stakeholders to ensure all the necessary groundwork is done for the second stage, the mass rollout.

The Government expects the mass rollout to start in early 2014 and to be completed in 2019.