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Published On: Thu, Dec 20th, 2018

The UK Government and Smart Metering: What Does the Policy Mean?

When the UK government pledged to roll out smart metres nationwide by the year 2020 five years ago, it was lauded for its forward-thinking outlook and focus on energy-efficiency.

The Tory government of five years ago was different from the one currently in power, however, and it may therefore come as no surprise that the current Parliamentarians are failing to deliver on the details of the roll out. In fact, it has already been confirmed that the UK will miss its intended 2020 deadline, adding £500 million onto the cost of an £11 billion project.

photo/ annca

However, the project is set to continue for now, while it will hopefully have a positive impact on the natural environment. We’ll break the project down in detail while below while considering its objectives.

What are Smart Meters and Their Benefits?

In simple terms, smart meters represent the next generation of gas and electricity provision, as they help users to control their consumption and reduce wastage on a national scale.

There’s a pressing need for this in the developed world, with EU member states (including the UK) recently reporting the first rise in CO2 emissions for more than four years.

With a smart meter, users can tell precisely how much energy they’re using through an In Home Display (IHD), which communicates directly with suppliers to create more accurate bills and negate the need for a representative to read your meter in the future.

Aside from reducing your household’s carbon footprint and helping you to save money, smart meters also offer you real-time information on your energy usage and identify any periods of excess consumption.

Similarly, smart meters deal in pounds and pence and provide completely accurate usage data, ending the age of estimated billing and ensuring that you only pay for the precise amount of energy that you use.

What are the Details of the initiative?

The government’s project is driven by a supplier-led roll out, with individual energy companies responsible for installing smart meters in the homes of their customers on a national scale.

However, government bodies have laid out the rules around the installation of these meters and their use, creating regulations for data access, privacy, security and technical equipment standards across the board.

So while the proposed roll out will now extend into 2021 (and potentially beyond), the government has at least created a framework that regulated suppliers and safeguards vulnerable customers. This includes preventing suppliers from attempting to up-sell using an installation visit, and ensuring that customers are informed on how to use their smart meter in keen detail.

From a commercial perspective, businesses are also being encouraged to invest in power metering equipment that optimises operational efficiency. Similar to a smart meter, this reduces consumptions and lowers commercial costs, while it’s important as it enables companies to embrace energy-efficiency without compromising on their output.

About the Author:

Rupesh Singh is freelance writer and founder of moneyoutline.com You can follow him on Google + & Facebook.

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About the Author

- Rupesh Singh is freelance writer and founder of moneyoutline.com You can follow him on Google + & Facebook.

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