Smart Energy GB brings the absurdity of estimated energy bills to life

Smart Energy GB, the voice of the smart meter rollout, will be bringing the absurdity of estimated energy bills to life by running one of its short films during the final of Britain’s Got Talent. The film will be supported by a national, digital competition which is open to all.

Some 12 million people watching the final of Britain’s Got Talent will see Smart Energy GB’s humorous film, in which unsuspecting shoppers are presented with estimated bills at the supermarket checkout – and their shocked responses captured on film. Using gentle humour, the film reminds us that we don’t pay an estimated price for our food shopping, so why should paying for energy be any different?  

This Saturday night will also see the launch of Smart Energy GB’s #WhyEstimate digital competition. Twitter and Facebook users hoping to win £1,000 worth of supermarket vouchers will be invited to guess the total price of all the products shown going through a checkout in a short video. The entry closest to the total price will claim the prize. Smart Energy GB will also donate £1,000 worth of food to the winner’s local food bank.

With 100,000 tweets expected to be sent during the programme, the competition will capitalise on the social buzz surrounding the much-loved talent show final.

Smart meters are the solution to the out-dated experience of estimated bills and analogue meters – they provide accurate bills, bring an end to estimation, and give us control of our gas and electricity. Between now and 2020, every household across England, Wales and Scotland will be offered the chance to upgrade to a smart meter by their energy supplier at no additional cost.

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

“We’d all be pretty baffled if we were presented with an estimated bill at the supermarket checkout, just like the customers in our film. Energy is one of the few areas where many people still have to get by with estimated bills because of the out-dated technology in their homes. But smart meters are transforming the way we manage and use gas and electricity. Our film and competition are part of our nationwide campaign to engage the nation with Britain’s digital energy upgrade.

“More than three million smart meters have already been installed across England, Scotland and Wales – and eight in ten people who have already had their upgrade would recommend them to others. Our supermarket film has already been seen 2.4 million times online, and millions of people all over Great Britain have seen and heard our campaign on regional radio, in newspapers and on outdoor advertising.  Over the next few years, Smart Energy GB will continue its exciting campaign to make sure that absolutely everyone in Great Britain knows about the transformation that smart meters are bringing to the way we buy and use energy.”

-ENDS-

Notes to editors

The digital competition opens at 7:30pm on 28th May 2016, and will close at 11:59pm on 5th June 2016.

The full terms and conditions for the competition are available on the Smart Energy GB website via the following link: https://www.smartenergygb.org/en/about-smart-meters/estimation-game-terms-and-conditions

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.

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 three million smart meters have already been installed. Find out how you can get a smart meter from your energy supplier.

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:
 
Lucy Maggs: [email protected]; 0203 019 1054 / 07747 690 432

Alicia Painter: [email protected]; 0203 019 1055