Smart Energy GB response: Institute of Directors press release on the smart meter rollout

In response to a press release distributed by the Institute of Directors (IoD) about Britain’s smart meter rollout, Sacha Deshmukh, Chief Executive of Smart Energy GB said:

 

“Britain’s smart meter programme is putting power back in the hands of consumers, and the Institute of Directors’ (IoD’s) latest statement, which contains inaccuracies and misrepresentation of facts, shows them once again attacking the rollout on ideological grounds. 

 

“The IoD has taken a small poll of its members (the number of respondents is not stated) and misrepresented the findings as being reflective of the attitudes of consumers across Great Britain.  In seeking its negative findings, an inaccurate proposition was put into a ‘push poll’, since alongside the investments in this national digital upgrade is many billions more in savings which government has said will be passed back to consumers.  If the IoD had described the rollout accurately by stating the savings as well as the investments, its questions would have drawn a different response.

 

“Twice a year, Smart Energy GB undertakes the largest independent survey on energy use and smart meters, a representative sample of over 10,000 consumers (not business directors) about their attitudes towards smart meters and the rollout. Our research shows that nearly eight in ten people who have already upgraded to a smart meter would recommend the technology to others and 80 per cent have taken at least one step to reduce their energy use, and in turn, costs.

 

“Smart Energy GB’s campaign is entirely accurate in explaining to consumers that smart meters come at no extra cost – exactly as old analogue meters did.  People will not see an additional charge on their bills when they claim their smart meter from their energy supplier.

 

“The IoD has been incorrect time after time, failing to understand the need for Great Britain to create a secure, efficient and sustainable energy supply that empowers consumers and makes Britain’s energy infrastructure fit for the future. Smart meters help some of the most vulnerable members of society manage their energy and bring their energy bills under control.”