New Energy World Network

UK Government to install smart meters in all British homes
by 2020

11th May 2009

The UK government has launched a plan to install smart meters in all homes in Britain by 2020, making it the first country in the world to instigate an overhaul of this size for electricity and gas meters.

Smart meters enable meter readings to be taken remotely and together with display device to give householders real time information on their energy usage.

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband said, "This is another part of our Great British refurb. The meters most of us have in our homes were designed for a different age, before climate change. Now we need to get smarter with our energy. Smart meters will empower all consumers to monitor their own energy use and make reductions in energy consumption and carbon emissions as a result. Smart meters will also mean the end of inaccurate bills and estimated meter readings."

The project will affect 26 million homes and several million businesses and is set to change the country's energy habits making it easier for renewable generation to feed into the grid.

Stephen Cunningham, CEO of Landis+Gyr, a smart meter system manufacturer, said, "DECC's announcement represents a turning point in UK energy policy. It's been a long time in coming but the industry now has the directive and core information it needs to prepare for the work that will make the UK a worldwide pioneer of smart metering. The Government has set a course for industry to assess and deliver upon and we look forward to playing a pivotal role in this process."

Steve Mitchell, COO of UK-based Remote Energy Monitoring, echoed the sentiment believing the move will hail the end of inaccurate bulls and help people to understand their energy consumption patterns.

"Smart meters are a significantly step in improving UK domestic energy efficiency, reducing energy costs and enabling utilities to offer their customers previously unattainable levels of service and support." Mitchell added.