Now smart meters will not be compulsory

01 February 2012

So-called smart meters, which automatically pass information to energy companies about energy usage at properties, will not now be compulsory, the government has announced.

The original plan was for every household in the country to have smart meters by 2019. However, the Department for Energy and Climate Change has responded to concerns expressed about the safety of the devices, which produce electromagnetic radiation 24 hours a day – in the USA and Canada this has become a major issue.

At the same time, the data that was being passed to energy companies could breach privacy laws by revealing details about a person's living habits.

The energy minister Charles Hendry said: "We believe people will benefit from having smart meters. But we will not make them obligatory."

On 20 January, Hendry wrote a letter to the Daily Mail on smart meters, saying: "The government is determined to see consumers benefit from the introduction of smart meters and will study carefully the Public Accounts Committee report claiming the £11bn smart meter plan 'risks fiasco' from which only the energy suppliers will benefit.

"Consumer protection is at the core of the programme and we've been consulting consumer groups over the past year. Smart meters will give more control over how we use energy at home and work, helping us cut waste and save money. And it will mean an end to estimated billing: no more nasty surprises for consumers.

"They also have a key role in modernising our electricity system so we keep the lights on and bills down. Energy companies will be able to do their job more efficiently, which will mean fewer costs for us. The potential benefits of smart meters are £18.7bn from an £11.7bn investment."