ERA response to the Labour Party's announcement on free electricity monitors

11th April 2007

The energy retail industry has invested heavily in a series of 'smart meter' trials over the last five years. We have found that they have the potential to revolutionise the relationship between customers and their energy suppliers and we have shared the results of our work with the Government.

Our research has found that smart meters need to be able to communicate how much energy is being used to the customer and the energy supplier. If it only does half the job (i.e just tell the supplier or customer) then the full benefit of this new technology will not be enjoyed. The Labour Party's announcement appears to promote meters that only do half the job and we hope that the Energy White Paper will recommend two-way communication smart meters that deliver the real benefit to consumers and the environment.