Britain's major energy suppliers urge Government to mandate smart meters
- Consultation on Energy White Paper launched today -
3rd August 2007
The Energy Retail Association (ERA) is urging the Government to remain focused on the delivery of smart meters to every household in the UK, following today’s launch of the consultation on the Billing and Metering proposals in May’s Energy White Paper. The ERA believes that the Government must commit to the bold step of providing a mandate for the industry to roll out smart meters and send a clear message to consumers that the energy sector is about to be revolutionised with this next-generation technology.
The energy industry wants to get on with the job of implementing the roll-out of electricity and gas smart meters – which have huge consumer benefits – and this remains in doubt if the Government insists on suppliers giving out free clip-on electricity display devices (EDD) to every customer on demand, as outlined in the Energy White Paper.
The industry believes that such a decision would hinder the roll-out of smart meters at an affordable cost to consumers. The ERA is also making it clear that the industry will not accept liability for any accidents that may occur from millions of customers self-installing clip-on devices to their live electrical wires.
Commenting on the consultation, ERA Chief Executive Duncan Sedgwick said:
“It is crucial that this consultation achieves the objectives set out in May’s Energy White Paper, namely the roll-out of electricity and gas smart meters across England, Scotland and Wales within the next decade. This can only be achieved with a mandate from Government and without the distraction of the proposed electricity display devices.”
There are a number of key differences between EDDs and smart meter and it is crucial that consumers can differentiate between the two.
Differentiating Smart Meters and Electricity Display Devices:
Smart Meters
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Electricity Display Devices (EDDs) |
- A Smart Meter gives real-time accurate information on the gas and electricity you use at home
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- An EDD gives information on the electricity you use at home – not gas
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- A Smart Meter will replace your existing meter
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- An EDD is addition to your existing meter
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- A Smart Meter provides accurate information which you and your supplier can see – this means the end of estimated bills and meter readings
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- An EDD does not mean the end of estimated bills or meter readings as it does not interact with your supplier
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- A Smart Meter will be installed by a qualified engineer
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- A Smart Meter will allow a huge increase in the variety and sophistication of tariffs
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- A Smart Meter will be accompanied with some form of consumer-friendly display device
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Notes to editors
- The Energy Retail Association (ERA), formed in 2003, represents Britain's domestic electricity and gas suppliers in the domestic market in Great Britain. All the main energy suppliers operating in the residential market in Great Britain are members of the association - British Gas, EDF Energy, npower, Powergen, Scottish Power, and Scottish and Southern Energy.
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