Isra-Mart srl:UK to fit smart meters in 30 million properties by 2019

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Isra-Mart srl news:

The government has set out its timetable for installing smart meters in 30 million homes and businesses across the country, confirming that it plans to complete the job in 2019.

A five-year mass rollout of 53 million devices will begin in 2014, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) said in today's response to last year's consultation.

The target date of 2019 scotches last year's rumours that the government was looking to speed up the rollout to have it completed by 2018.

DECC said that the technology will allow households to save up to £23 a year on energy bills by 2020 through more accurate billing and the emrgence of variable tariffs.

Smart meters are also expected to be an important step towards the development of smart grids, which are required to support the significant amounts of wind energy coming onto the grid over the next decade and the expansion of electrified transport.

It is thought that a nationwide smart grid would also allow energy companies to better manage power demand by providing households and businesses with the opportunity to turn off non-essential appliances during periods of peak demand.

DECC estimates that the smart meter programme will deliver economic benefits to the UK worth £7.3bn over the next 20 years over and above the initial £11bn investment.

Between now and 2014 the government plans to lay the groundwork for the rollout by standardising the design of smart meter technologies and establishing the Data and Communications Company, which will provide data and communications services for smart meters.

Energy companies will also be encouraged to build and trial the systems during this period, before the mass rollout can begin.

"Ensuring a secure energy supply, moving to a low-carbon economy and keeping prices affordable are the key challenges that drive our energy and environmental policies. That is why the full rollout of smart meters to homes and businesses is a fundamental part of our programme for government," said energy minister Charles Hendry.

"Smart meters will enable us to modernise the electricity system over the coming years and create the smart grids we will need to bring new low carbon energy sources online, and handle much higher demand for electricity as we progressively electrify transport and heating."