GRAHAM APPEALS FOR ACTION ON SMART METERS IN WALES
A media release from William Graham AM
William Graham AM today called upon the Assembly Government to introduce ‘smart meters’ to every home in Wales.
Citing the success of a ‘smart meter’ pilot scheme in Newport, the South Wales East AM highlighted that the key features of smart meters could make them important tools in the effort to tackle high household fuel bills and improve energy efficiency.
The Conservative AM commented:
‘The pilot scheme in Newport demonstrates what an effective tool ‘smart meters’ can be in putting consumers in control of their energy consumption. The ‘smart meters’ compare favourably with conventional electricity and gas meters and offer consumers a more comprehensive indication of their energy usage including:
· Tells customers and companies exactly how much electricity and gas is being used.
· Bills will be more accurate – no more estimated bills.
· ‘Smart meters’ will allow consumers to export back micro-generated power to the national grid.
· There are likely to be huge increases in the number of ‘smart meter’ tariffs available.
· ‘Smart meters’ simply require a one-off installation by a qualified engineer.
‘ That Newport was chosen as the location for this pilot scheme underlines the city’s environmental credentials that saw it labelled Britain’s greenest city last October on account of it using fewer natural resources than any other urban centre.’
‘However the switchover to every home in Wales having a ‘smart meter’ cannot be achieved if the UK Government insists that the industry provides every customer on demand with a free clip-on electricity display device (EDD) from next year. These devices currently retail at £60 each so the costs associated with this decision will make smart metering impossible to implement as well as risking pushing up electricity bills.’
‘If the Welsh Assembly Government wishes to be taken seriously as a champion for action on climate change, they must work in partnership with UK authorities and offer an unambiguous commitment to smart meters.’
William Graham JP, AM
CHIEF WHIP, PARTY CHAIRMAN AND EUROPEAN SPOKESMAN
Email – William.Graham@Wales.gov.uk