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Smart meter scheme to be unveiled Plans for smart meters published
(about 2 hours later)
Plans for smart meters for millions of homes are expected to be unveiled even though trials suggest the £8bn scheme may help people save £28 a year. Energy suppliers are to be responsible for installing smart meters in all households in the UK by 2020.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband will make an announcement later on proposals to have the energy saving meters installed in every UK household. Plans for smart meters for millions of homes have been unveiled with trials suggesting the £8bn scheme may help people save £28 a year.
The Department for Energy and Climate Change wants to see 47 million meters in 26 million properties by 2020.The Department for Energy and Climate Change wants to see 47 million meters in 26 million properties by 2020.
It is hoped the technology will help people cut down on their energy bills. It is hoped the technology will help people cut their energy bills by paying more attention to usage.
Smart Meters have a visual display allowing customers to see exactly how much electricity and gas they are using and relay the data to energy firms automatically.Smart Meters have a visual display allowing customers to see exactly how much electricity and gas they are using and relay the data to energy firms automatically.
Cost passed on?Cost passed on?
Trials of smart meters have resulted in some people moderating their energy use.Trials of smart meters have resulted in some people moderating their energy use.
Smart meters will put the power in people's hands, enabling us all to control how much energy we use, cut emissions and cut bills Lord Hunt Q&A: Smart meters
Potential savings outlined already by ministers are only a fraction of the current average annual bill of more than £800 for gas and £445 for electricity.Potential savings outlined already by ministers are only a fraction of the current average annual bill of more than £800 for gas and £445 for electricity.
The £28 a year figure for savings has been cited as a conservative estimate for a typical household.The £28 a year figure for savings has been cited as a conservative estimate for a typical household.
But the DECC says case studies had shown people could reduce their bills by around £100 a year as the meters can encourage changes in behaviour. But the DECC says case studies had shown people could reduce their bills by about £100 a year as the meters can encourage changes in behaviour.
It is understood that the six biggest energy firms will be responsible for the roll out of the meters at a costs of about £340 per household. "Smart meters will put the power in people's hands, enabling us all to control how much energy we use, cut emissions and cut bills," said Energy and Climate Change Minister Lord Hunt.
They will be able to recoup the cost from customers through higher bills or upfront fees but competition between suppliers is expected to ensure only some of the expense is passed on. Smart grid
Energy suppliers, rather than distribution networks, will be responsible for the roll out of the meters at a cost of about £340 per household.
They will be able to recoup the cost from customers through higher bills or upfront fees, but competition between suppliers is expected to ensure only some of the expense is passed on.
The companies stand to make big cost savings themselves, with the need for teams of meter readers becoming a thing of the past.The companies stand to make big cost savings themselves, with the need for teams of meter readers becoming a thing of the past.
Mr Miliband is also expected to announce plans for a smart grid to manage the flows of electricity and to increase the use of renewable energy. Plans have also been announced for a smart grid to manage the flows of electricity and to increase the use of renewable energy.
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