Smart meter roll out to be complete by 2020

The Department of Energy and Climate Change has today confirmed that all homes in the UK will have smart meters from their supplier by end of 2020.

The Government has long stressed that smart energy use will save consumers money, make electricity use more efficient and cut carbon emissions. To support this, the case for developing smart grids in the UK has also been published.

The report details the £6 million required to to develop smart technology, and claims that the initiative will:

- Deliver electricity more efficiently and reliably – reducing the costs and emissions from electricity generation and transmission.

- Facilitate increased generation of low carbon electricity sources such as wind
With smart meters, give consumers more control and choice of when they use electricity allowing them to save money.

- DECC is also providing £6 million to companies to continue developing smart technology such as electricity storage.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Lord Hunt said:

“A global climate deal in Copenhagen needs all countries to make the most ambitious commitments possible, but it will also require all of us to change how we lead our lives and how we generate our energy.

“Smart meters will put the power in people’s hands, enabling us all to control how much energy we use, cut emissions and cut bills.

“Smart grids will help manage the massive shift to low carbon electricity such as wind, nuclear and clean fossil fuels.

“Globally the business of developing smart grids has been estimated at £27 billion over the next 5 years and the UK has the know-how to be part of that.”

Ann Robinson, Director of Consumer Policy at uSwitch.com, says:

“The introduction of smart meters is a positive step forward in the drive to ensure that all households get accurate, up-to-date energy bills and have the information they need to be able to monitor and lower their energy usage. Today’s announcement shows that the Government and the energy industry are picking up the pace, although there are still a number of issues to iron out. The key concern for consumers is cost and how much the roll out of smart metering is likely to add to household energy bills.

“Our research shows that only 19% of consumers believe that a significant increase in household energy bills is a price worth paying and 57% of people are not even aware of what smart meters are.”

“This suggests that without a proper education and consumer engagement programme there could be an uphill battle persuading households that they should be picking up the tab.

“There is much to be gained from the roll-out of smart meters so it’s vital that all parties involved keep their eye on the main prize which is the benefit it will bring to consumers and the competitive market.”

(Photo by Tom Raftery.)