2023-12-20
The House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts reports on the smart meter roll-out (October 20th).
"The Government’s original target was to effectively complete the rollout by 2019. However, it has adjusted its deadlines three times and reduced its target installation levels for smart meters from “all homes and small businesses” in 2019, to its current target of 74.5% of homes and nearly 69% of small businesses to have smart meters by the end of 2025"
"At the end of March 2023, more than a decade after the rollout started, only 57% of all electricity and gas meters were smart"
"The extent of smart meter installation varies across Great Britain, from 5% in the Isles of Scilly to 69% in Chesterfield as at March 2023"
" ... the responsibility for consumer engagement rests primarily with Smart Energy GB (a not-for-profit organisation funded by suppliers)"
"We are concerned that smart meters are not achieving the consumer benefits they are supposed to and are benefitting certain, often wealthier, consumers more than others"
"Too many smart meters are not fully functioning and millions more will be impacted when the 2G and 3G mobile communication networks close"
"In March 2023, around 3 million (9%) of smart meters were not working properly in total"
Actually quite good for a government project, when compared to - say - HS2. Not healthy though. Perhaps Big Pharma could give it a shot in the arm?
Links to other reports from earlier this year are provided above this article.
See also the Energy Bill, which contains additional provisions to coerce customers into installing such meters.
