North Wales Assembly Member and Chair of the Cross Party Group on Fuel Poverty and Energy Efficiency, Mark Isherwood AM, has spoken in the Assembly Chamber this week of the benefits of Smart Meters.
Ahead of an Assembly event he is hosting with Smart Energy GB today, to update Members on the smart meter roll-out and share specific constituency and regional smart meter installation figures, Mr. Isherwood spoke during the Business Statement of the savings Smart Meters can make and called for a Welsh Government Statement on the roll-out of Smart Meters in Wales.
He said:
“We know that during the Summer there was some adverse media coverage of Smart Meters, and claims that they will only save consumers £11 a year on average. Of course, that's only a 2020 saving; the anticipated savings are much greater.
“The UK Government's cost-benefit analysis says that, taking all costs into account, the net benefit of the roll-out is around £6 billion, and households will save both by using energy more efficiently,and as a result of a smart energy system that is cheaper to run. The provision of in-home displays will enable people to measure their expenditure in pounds and pence, and therefore save in their domestic use, and the alternative, of course, is a more expensive analogue grid.
“Finally, of course, they allow greater flexibility in the utilisation of renewable energy. Given those points, I therefore hope that the Welsh Government will continue to be supportive and provide a Statement on their involvement with, and a position on, the roll-out of smart meters in Wales, as they go forward.”
Responding, the Leader of the House said: “I think the Member's done an extremely good job himself of setting out the value of Smart Meters.”
Mr. Isherwood added: “The alternative to Smart Meters is outdated technology and the uncertainty of estimated bills. Smart Meters do not stop you switching energy suppliers, can help you save energy and money and mean an end to the frustration of crawling under the stairs to take a manual meter reading or dealing with inaccurate estimated bills.
“Smart Meters also allow greater flexibility in the utilisation of renewables. This is particularly beneficial for communities who are able to harness and benefit from locally produced renewable energy.”