Action with Communities in Rural England joins up with Smart Energy GB

Smart Energy GB, the voice of Britain’s smart meter rollout, has announced a partnership with Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE). The partnership will allow people living in rural communities across England to learn more about the benefits of smart meters.

Every home in Great Britain will be offered a smart meter, at no additional cost, by 2020. Smart meters bring an end to estimated bills and show people how much energy they are using in pounds and pence, in near real time. 

ACRE is the national body for the 38 Rural Community Councils who make up the ACRE Network. They reach 11,000 rural communities and support 80,000 community volunteers across rural England. 

Smart Energy GB will work with ACRE to provide information on smart meters through:

• promotional events to enable ACRE members to learn more about the rollout of smart meters 
• providing 240 local coordinators with information about smart meters so that they can then share it within their local area 
• creating materials to provide information about the rollout of smart meters to off gas grid residents 
• providing training for community volunteers about how they can inform their communities, particularly those who are not on the gas mains supply, about the benefits of smart meters

Sacha Deshmukh, Chief Executive of Smart Energy GB, said:

“This partnership with ACRE will help get the smart meter message out to rural communities across England. We particularly want to reach those who aren’t connected to the gas mains and may not be aware of how they can benefit from smart meters to get their electricity use under control.”

Richard Quallington, Interim Chief Executive of ACRE said:

“ACRE welcomes this partnership with Smart Energy GB, which will enable us to promote smart meters and inform residents in rural areas about the benefits of installing a smart meter to manage their energy consumption. Our members are the trusted local voice to deliver information and guidance to help people to manage and reduce their energy consumption.”  

 

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Notes to editors

About Smart Energy GB

Smart Energy GB is the voice of the smart meter rollout. It’s our task to help everyone in Great Britain understand smart meters, the national rollout and how to use their new meters to get their gas and electricity under control. Our national campaign has already begun and will reach all households and microbusinesses in England, Scotland and Wales. For more information visit this page.

About smart meters and the rollout

Smart meters will replace the traditional meters we currently have in our homes. They will provide consumers with accurate bills, near real time information on energy usage in pounds and pence, and greater control over their gas and electricity. The smart meter rollout is an essential technology upgrade, unprecedented in its scale, to improve Great Britain’s energy infrastructure. Between now and 2020, everyone across England, Scotland and Wales will be offered a smart meter by their energy supplier at no extra cost. More than 3.5 million smart meters have already been installed. To find out how you can get a smart meter from your energy supplier, pick up a leaflet from your local Post Office branch or visit this page.

About Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE)

ACRE is the national charity supporting rural community action across England, through its founder members, the Rural Community Councils (RCCs). The 38 RCCs are independent local development agencies, based at county level, addressing social, economic and environmental challenges in rural areas. They provide help, support and advice for community led action in rural areas throughout England. ACRE’s vision – to be the voice of rural communities – is supported by the wealth of evidence and intelligence on rural matters collected from ACRE’s members. For more information visit ACRE's website.

Smart Energy GB media contacts

For more information including interview requests, case studies of smart meter users, infographics, photography and video content please contact the Smart Energy GB media team:

Janqui Mehta: [email protected]; 0203 019 1063 / 07715 665 112