‘A green letter day for the Government’, as ERA calls for an urgent decision on smart meters, 26 June 2008

The Energy Retail Association (ERA) has welcomed the publication of the Government’s Renewable Energy Strategy consultation today, and highlighted the need for a clear timetable for the delivery of smart meters to all homes in Britain if the strategy is to be realised.

Duncan Sedgwick, Chief Executive of the ERA, stressed that only the roll-out of smart meters throughout Britain would enable the Government’s strategy for microgeneration to fulfil its potential.

He went on to say:

‘This is a green letter day for government. To realise the ambitions for a low carbon economy, the Government needs to ensure there is a long term, sustainable energy mix including renewable sources such as microgeneration alongside more traditional sources. The ERA is calling on the Government to ensure the introduction of smart meters, so that microgeneration can be a viable option for mass uptake as part of our future energy mix.

Smart meters are the only way to monitor the energy entering the home or leaving it for sale back to energy suppliers. The technology will also enable customers to take full control of their energy usage and household expenditure on energy for the first time, and will allow suppliers to offer different tariffs tailored to customers’ individual needs.

Smart meters are integral to the government’s plans for a renewable energy strategy.’

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Notes to editors

1. The Energy Retail Association (ERA) is the trade association representing the six main domestic electricity and gas suppliers in Great Britain. Further information can be found at www.energy-retail.org.uk.

2. For further information then please contact the ERA press team: Peter Jenkins, Head of Communications & Media Relations – 020 7930 9181, Claire Gibson, Press Officer – 020 7747 5432, Danielle Milne, Assistant Press Officer – 020 7747 5444.

3. Individual domestic and community microgeneration projects enable customers to generate their own power and/or heat locally, and sell residual energy back to the Grid through their energy supplier.

4. Smart meters are the next generation of gas and electricity meters, which provide two-way communication between customers and suppliers and enable real-time information on consumption patterns.

5. More information on the ERA’s work on smart meters can be found at www.energy-retail.org.uk/smartmeters

6. The Energy Retail Association is expecting to submit a formal response to the Government’s consultation by the 26 September 2008 deadline.

                                                                                                                               
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