Science and Technology Committee says government must spell out smart meters’ role in creating a smarter, cleaner energy system
Instead of touting their ability to cut consumer energy bills, government should be doing more to promote the role of smart meters in moving the UK towards a smarter, more flexible energy system.
That's the conclusion reached by MPs on Parliament's Science and Technology Committee, who today released a report urging the government to be clearer about the national benefits of its smart meter scheme.
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While the savings on energy bills will be relatively low, the report argues, smart meters promise to deliver major national benefits by way of modernising the energy system.
"It would be easy to dismiss the smart meter project as an inefficient way of saving a small amount of money on energy bills, but the evidence suggests there are major national benefits, including establishing a smarter, more energy secure grid," Dr Tania Mathias, interim chair of the Committee, said in a statement. "The government needs to have more clarity around this so householders are clear about the true benefits."
The Committee also urges the government not to "skimp" on promoting the benefits of the new meters to consumers, which they argue need to receive "tailored advice" in order to make the most of the devices.
The government's smart meter scheme obliges energy providers to offer every household and small business across Scotland, England and Wales a smart meter by December 2020, with over 50 million smart meters set to be installed in households and businesses across the country.
Today's report follows yesterday's attack on the smart meter programme from the Institute of Directors (IoD), which called on Prime Minister Theresa May to launch a review into the initiative, claiming it is too costly and uses "unnecessarily complex technology".
MPs today raised concerns that customers who had received their smart meter at the beginning of the rollout in 2013 will lose their "smart functionality" if they choose to switch suppliers. The report warns taxpayers will be "unimpressed" with this situation, and calls on the government to take "timely action" to rectify it.
In response to the report, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy insisted the government is working closely with energy suppliers to ensure consumers have the best possible installation and user experience. It added most customers will receive their smart meters during the scheme's main installation phase, due to start in coming weeks, when meters distributed will remain smart even after a switch in supplier.
"Smart meters will bring Britain's energy infrastructure into the 21st century - as the Committee has made clear," a spokeswoman for the department said in a statement. "The rollout will end estimated bills, help consumers save energy and money, and support a smarter energy system for decades to come."
The government also pointed to research by Smart Energy GB, the national public engagement body charged with helping consumers make the most out of their new smart meters, which found that eight in ten people which have already upgraded to a smart meter would recommend them to family and friends.
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