Smart opportunity missed
Only a small percentage of businesses will now be required to fit ‘smart meters’ to monitor and control their energy consumption following a change of heart from the Government.
Originally any company using more than 73,200 kWh per annum was to be provided with a smart meter as part of the proposed Energy Billing and Metering Consultation. However, the Government has now decided that the threshold should be raised to 732,000 kWh reducing the number of potential businesses covered from 400,000 to 40,000.
The Energy Services and Technology Association (ESTA) has greeted the news with dismay: “What is the point of publishing a White Paper setting out how the UK will meet its climate change and energy security goals if the government then revises its own targets downwards without any discussion with either industry or consumers?” said ESTA chairman Martin Fry.
“We need strong leadership and challenging targets if we are to make real progress. This government’s response fails to provide either.”