Energy industry welcomes OFGEM smart meter guidance

Energy UKEnergy industry welcomes smarter approach to energy use, as Ofgem publishes Prospectus

Ofgem’s Prospectus for smart meters has given the energy industry further guidance on how they will deliver a national programme to install smart meters into every home across the country.

It also explains how the benefits of the new technology will start to become a reality for British customers.

The announcement comes as Energy UK releases new research showing that Britons are spending an estimated three million hours each year reading their existing gas and electricity meters.

This is equivalent to 125,000 days or 342 years leaning into cupboards, fumbling for torches or even climbing ladders struggling to access their meters.*

Christine McGourty, Director of Energy UK said:

“The Ofgem announcement heralds the next stage in a technology revolution that will transform energy use at home. Over time, all of us will have better, smarter gas and electricity meters to help us understand how much energy we all use and how to use it more efficiently.

"Energy companies are ready and willing to throw their resources into this initiative to ensure it is a success. We welcome the clear framework laid out by Ofgem today and look forward to working closely with the regulator and the Government to make this exciting project a reality.

"It is now vital that everyone works together to keep the momentum going in order to avoid any potentially costly and time-consuming delays.

“Our research shows that people are wasting millions of hours each year reading their meters - a task that will become a thing of the past with the introduction of smart meters.”

The Energy industry has pledged to develop a new Code of Practice for smart meters to ensure that the installation process goes smoothly for customers and that they get the maximum benefit from the new technology.

Smart meters will mean the end of estimated bills and the need to provide meter readings to your energy company.

They will also allow customers using pre-pay meters to switch instantly to the whole range of pay-monthly tariffs, meaning they are able to access all the best deals on the market.

Source: Energy UK