Ofgem consults with energy suppliers and smart meter providers to accelerate the domestic smart meter roll out

 

Energy Minister, Charles Hendry is exploring the possibility of moving the domestic smart meter universal rollout forward, from 2020 to 2018. This ambitious target is designed to make smart meters a central component of the coalition’s climate change strategy.

 

Hendry is working closely with Ofgem, energy suppliers and smart meter providers to investigate whether an accelerated rollout is technically and economically feasible. As the shift in target end date is going to place huge pressure on energy firms to start their smart meter rollout plans as quickly as possible.

 

Stephen Cunningham, chief executive for the UK and Ireland at smart meter provider Landis Gyr provides an insight into what this will mean:

 

"To hit the 2020 target, we will need to fit 67,000 homes with smart meters each week for the whole rollout period," explained Cunningham. "If we move the target to 2018 then we need to fit 85,000 homes a week."

 

To find out more about the accelerated smart meter roll out plans and implications, read the full article on the Business Green website