Smart Metering

Smart meters allow energy suppliers to communicate directly with their customers, removing the need for meter readings and ensuring entirely accurate bills with no estimates. They can tell people about their energy use through either linked display units or other ways, such as through the internet or television. Among other potential benefits, they could offer gas and electricity customers accurate bills and provide information that could help them use less energy and encourage energy efficiency.

 In August 2007, BERR published a consultation on Energy billing and metering: changing customer behaviour which sought views on a range of measures which were set out in the 2007 Energy white paper: meeting the energy challenge.

The Government Response to the consultation was published in April 2008:

Its key conclusions were:

  • that further work is needed before a decision can be taken on a smart meter roll-out to domestic and small business sites;
  • to proceed with smart metering for larger business sites;
  • to require the provision of historical consumption information on domestic customers’ bills from 1st January 2009.

In July 2008 the Government published a short final consultation on advanced metering for larger business sites:

and a consultation and impact assessment on smart and advanced metering for other business sites:

Additional detailed information on the consultation impact assessment is at:

For domestic customers, the Government’s economic impact assessment casts some doubt about whether there is a cost-effective case for roll-out. However, the issues are complex and there are many variables involved. The Government has identified a range of areas where further work needs to be undertaken and is aiming to complete this over the coming months with a view to taking final decisions later this year.

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