By Chris Torney
The energy watchdog Ofgem is taking steps to make sure consumers are not disadvantaged when their gas and electricity suppliers install smart meters.
The government has planned a roll-out of smart meters – which give power suppliers real-time information about their customers’ energy use – to all homes and small firms in the UK over the course of this decade.
The meters will bring a number of advantages, such as more accurate bills and the ability of households to closely monitor and manage their gas and electricity consumption.
But Ofgem is concerned the meters will give suppliers the ability to disconnect or reduce supply to customers remotely if they have failed to pay bills, and also wants guarantees that individuals will be free to switch providers whenever they like.
The organisation is currently trying to beef up consumer-protection rules in these areas.
Zoe McLeod, energy expert at Consumer Focus, said: “It is very welcome that Ofgem is proposing measures to protect consumers against being remotely disconnected or their supply switched and their energy supply limited. These are essential steps to stop consumers being treated unfairly.
“‘However there are still major concerns for consumers around smart meters which must be tackled. The next step must be for suppliers to address the data protection and privacy issues which the introduction of smart meters, and the information they collect, inevitably raise.”
photo: EdinburghGreens
