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| Smart meter project is delayed | Smart meter project is delayed |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The introduction of energy smart meters in 30 million UK homes will be delayed for more than a year, the government has announced. | The introduction of energy smart meters in 30 million UK homes will be delayed for more than a year, the government has announced. |
| The £11.7bn project will start in the autumn of 2015, rather than the summer of next year, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) said. | The £11.7bn project will start in the autumn of 2015, rather than the summer of next year, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) said. |
| It said that the industry needed more time to design, build and test the communications system required. | It said that the industry needed more time to design, build and test the communications system required. |
| The devices show exactly how much gas and electricity is being used. | The devices show exactly how much gas and electricity is being used. |
| This should bring an end to estimated bills, because the technology could send back an accurate meter reading to an energy company every day. | This should bring an end to estimated bills, because the technology could send back an accurate meter reading to an energy company every day. |
| According to the industry, the technological advance would be the equivalent of using wireless broadband instead of sending a telegram. | According to the industry, the technological advance would be the equivalent of using wireless broadband instead of sending a telegram. |
| Preparation | |
| The project is considered vital in attempts to cut energy use by households as the UK faces having to import more energy in the future. | |
| However, the smart meter rollout has been criticised. Consumer group Which? has previously called on the government to postpone the scheme until it had reviewed its approach, saying there was a danger the situation could become a "fiasco". | |
| But the then energy minister, Charles Hendry, said at the time: "The last thing we need is more dither and delay." | |
| Now, the programme to install these meters into every UK home is expected to be finished by 2020, also a year later than planned. | |
| Ann Robinson, of price comparison website Uswitch.com, said she was disappointed because smart meters would have "huge benefits", but added that it was "more important to get it right so that it works for consumers". | |
| Angela Knight, chief executive of Energy UK, which represents the major energy companies, said: "We welcome the government's prudent decision to allow an additional 12 months to complete the smart meter programme. This recognises the scale of the programme and the need to prepare carefully." | |
| She said the installation of meters was a complex task and the delay allowed this to take place "in a more efficient and cost-effective manner, and to greater effect". | |
| Energy Secretary Ed Davey said: "Completing the national rollout will be an enormous logistical and technical challenge for the industry. Getting this right for consumers is the government's priority." | |
| Last year, MPs on the Commons Public Accounts Committee said it was "far from certain" consumers would benefit from smart meter savings and urged ministers to oversee the rollout more closely. |