Smart Energy GB response to the CMA preliminary findings report

Responding to the summary of findings into the UK energy markets published today by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), Sacha Deshmukh, Chief Executive of Smart Energy GB said:

“The Competition and Markets Authority’s report is clear that smart meters are essential to creating more competition and more engaged consumers in the energy market.

"The national upgrade of all the traditional gas and electricity meters in our homes to smart meters is an essential step in digitising Britain's last analogue consumer industry. In particular smart meters finally modernise the service for pre-payment gas and electricity customers who have had to live with increasingly out of date technology to buy the energy that powers their homes for far too long.

"But smart meters also revolutionise the way in which we all buy and use energy in our homes. Smart meters mean an end to estimated bills and finally empower consumers with knowledge of what gas and electricity costs, in pounds and pence and in near real time, which means we can all better manage household budgets and reduce waste.”

-ENDS-

About Smart Energy GB

Smart Energy GB is the not-for-profit campaign for the national 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 1.6 million smart meters have already been installed in homes and microbusinesses. 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 customers, infographics, photography and video content please contact the Smart Energy GB media team:

Stephen Shawcross: [email protected]; 0203 751 0768

Alicia Painter: [email protected]; 0203 751 0744