ESTA slams government backdown on smart metering

Smart metering of all but the smallest businesses was a key element of the Energy Billing and Metering Consultation to help move the country’s energy supplies towards a more sustainable basis. However, after the consultation published on 29 April the government announced that it had changed the threshold of businesses covered. Only a fraction of those originally slated to get smart meters would now benefit.

Initially, all industrial and commercial gas consumers who used more than 73,200 kWh were to receive smart metering technology. But following the government amendment only those who use more than 732,000 kWh are to be involved. This change reduces the potential metering points from 400,000 to around 40,000.

Professor Martin Fry, ESTA chairman, said: “What is the point of publishing a White Paper setting out how the UK will meet its climate change and energy security goals if the government then revises its own targets downwards without any discussion with either industry or consumers? We need strong leadership and challenging targets if we are to make real progress. This government’s response fails to provide either.”