Hendry: "Consumer benefit is at the heart of the Government's smart meter programme"
30 million homes and small businesses will have smart meters by 2019 enabling all consumers to have access to accurate information and bringing…
30 million homes and small businesses will have smart meters by 2019 enabling all consumers to have access to accurate information and bringing an end to estimated billing.
Energy and Climate Change minister Charles Hendry said:
“In less than three years energy suppliers will begin the mass rollout of smart meters across the country and I am determined that consumers are at the heart of this ambitious programme. That is why today we are proposing tough guidelines on installation, which will minimise inconvenience and help people to make the most of their smart meters to save energy and save money.
“In addition, I want to be absolutely clear to consumers that they will be in control of their energy consumption data. So apart from where it is required for billing or other regulated purposes, it will be for consumers to decide who can access their data.”
Key conclusions set out today include:
- there should be no sales during the installation visit
- installers must provide energy efficiency advice as part of the visit
- they will need the consumers permission in advance of the visit if they are to talk to them about their own particular products; and
- all households will be offered an in-home display allowing them to see what energy is being used and how much it is costing
Key proposals set out in the consultation documents include:
- consumers will have a choice about who has access to their data, except for data which is needed for billing and meeting other regulatory obligations, typically on a monthly basis
- a model for centralised communications activity to help all consumers understand how to use smart meters to better manage their energy consumption and expenditure; and
- proposals to ensure that vulnerable and low income consumers can benefit from the rollout
Mike O’Connor, Chief Executive of Consumer Focus said:
“We welcome the banning of sales during installation and that marketing will only be allowed if the customer agrees. This shows the Government has listened to consumers. We support the proposals to address consumer concerns around the privacy of information. But, to make this work, people must be aware of their rights and the choices available to them on how much information is passed to suppliers.
“It is also welcome that the Government has recognised the need for a much stronger and better co-ordinated strategy to engage consumers. Smart meters will only help people to become more energy efficient and cut their bills if they are able to easily understand and use the new technology. We hope this move will pave the way for a support scheme for vulnerable customers to ensure everyone gets the benefit of smart meters.”
Christine McGourty, Director of Energy UK, said:
“Smart meters are set to transform how consumers understand and manage their energy use at home, and today’s publications are an important milestone in this exciting national programme. Energy suppliers are working closely with DECC and other stakeholders to ensure that smart meters deliver real benefits to people in homes and businesses around Britain, and to ensure that protections for customers are robust. We also welcome the opportunity to continue to contribute to the consultation on the consumer engagement strategy, which has a crucial role to play.”
As the programme gears up for the beginning of mass rollout in 2014, the Government is consulting on proposed frameworks for consumer engagement and data access and privacy. These proposals will give greater clarity to suppliers and consumers about how that rollout will take place.
The Government has also confirming that suppliers should develop a code of practice covering a range of key areas around the installation process.
The Government is also publishing an update to the Smart Meters Implementation Programme, consultations on the Smart Energy Code and the Data and Communications Company licensing conditions, the Government Response to the Rollout consultation, and updated Impact Assessments for the domestic and non-domestic sectors. It is also publishing the Smart Metering Equipment Technical Specifications (SMETS), which will enable suppliers to install smart meters during the Foundation Stage that will satisfy their rollout obligations.
Notes to editors
- The rollout of smart meters will play an important role in Britain’s transition to a low-carbon economy and help us meet some of the long-term challenges we face in ensuring an affordable, secure and sustainable energy supply.
- Good progress has been made since DECC became directly responsible for managing the smart metering programme a year ago.
- You can find out more about DECC’s Smart Meters Programme on the Smart Meters: frequently asked questions
- Key documents published today can be found on the Smart Meters consultations webpage and include:
**Programme Update Document
**A summary of Programme progress and the key information being published today
Consumer Engagement Strategy Consultation
The rollout is supplier-led, but the Government sees benefits in some supporting centralised engagement to:
- build confidence in benefits and provide reassurance on areas of consumer concern
- deliver cost-effective energy savings, by helping all consumers to better manage their energy consumption and expenditure; and
- ensure that vulnerable and low income consumers can benefit from the rollout
Consultation on data access and privacy
This consultation document seeks views on the Government’s proposed approach to smart metering data access and privacy. The central issues this document addresses are:
- how to enable consumers to easily access their own energy consumption data
- what access energy suppliers and network operators should have to consumers’ energy consumption data, for which purposes, and what choices consumers should have about this; and
- how to enable consumers to share their own data with third parties (such as energy services companies and switching sites), should they choose to
- Data access arrangements in the non-domestic sector
Government Response to Licence Conditions for Installation Code of Practice consultation
This sets out the rules requiring suppliers to develop a Code of Practice that covers a range of key areas around the installation process. The rules state that there should be no sales during the installation visit, that installers must provide energy efficiency advice as part of the visit and that they will need the consumer’s permission in advance of the visit if they are to talk to them about their own particular products..
Data and Communications Company (DCC) Licence Conditions and Licence Application Regulations consultation
The DCC will be responsible for the services which are needed to communicate with smart meters i.e. for data and communications. This document will consult on a set of draft licence conditions for the DCC and the draft statutory instrument containing the Regulations for applying for the licence to be the DCC.
Smart Energy Code consultation will primarily govern the arrangements by which energy market participants will access and use the services of the DCC. This document will consult on the content and governance arrangements of the code.
Summary of Government Response to the consultation on draft licence conditions and technical specifications for the rollout of gas and electricity smart metering equipment
This consultation response sets out the licence conditions and technical specifications for the rollout of Smart Metering in Great Britain. This includes the rollout completion date of Smart Metering Equipment by energy suppliers of 31 December 2019.
The first set of Smart Metering Equipment Technical Specifications (SMETS 1) comprising the Technical Specifications for Electricity Smart Metering Systems, Gas Smart Metering Systems and In-home displays. Smart Metering Equipment which is compliant with the minimum requirements described in the SMETS will count towards the suppliers’ 2019 rollout obligation. The Government will now notify the rollout licence conditions and the SMETS to the European Commission.
Impact Assessments for domestic and non domestic sector Revised Impact Assessment taking into account latest Programme assumptions.