Embargoed until 4am 25 June

25 June 2009

Will smart meters fail consumers?

There is great risk to consumers if the Government fails to take the lead in setting minimum performance standards for smart meters.

“At the moment power companies are rolling out new meters under voluntary guidelines, but how smart are they and do they serve the needs of consumers, or just the power companies?” asks Jeanette Fitzsimons, Green Party Energy Spokesperson.

The Electricity Commission is required to make recommendations to Government about smart meter regulations later this year, as specified in the New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy.

“I eagerly await the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment’s report today on smart meters,” Ms Fitzsimons said.

“I hope it will answer the important questions of whether the meters currently being installed are really smart, or semi-dumb, and how much Government needs to get involved in protecting consumer interests.

“We don’t need to pick technology winners, but we do need to define minimum standards that protect consumers.

“Smart meters can give homeowners a choice of how and when they use electricity, saving them money and protecting the environment. But this can only happen if they have the right information at their fingertips and the right choice of tariffs as an incentive.

“We have an opportunity to get this new technology right from the start. I hope that the Government takes the lead in looking after the interests of homeowners,” Ms Fitzsimons said.

 
ends

© Scoop Media