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Small businesses remain sceptical at the benefits of the smart meter rollout, claiming it will just be an expensive way of providing accurate bills because of a lack of guaranteed support, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has warned.
The FSB’s national chairman John Allen said: “Smart meters are a vital tool for giving small businesses the information they need to make proactive decisions about their energy usage. But rolling out the hardware is just the first step.
“Smart meters will only succeed if they are accompanied by ongoing energy efficiency support and advice from suppliers, as well as the development of easy to use software. This will enable customers to analyse their energy usage and make informed decisions. Currently there are no guarantees about this package of support.”
Smart Energy GB has confirmed it will be extending its Gaz and Leccy advertising campaign for domestic customers to microbusinesses, with a proportionate percentage of the fund to be spent on engaging Great Britain’s 2.3 million microbusinesses.
The FSB previously slammed the lack of a specific fund for targeting microbusinesses as a “recipe for failure” as without it, the smart meter rollout will not address the “different and diverse nature of small businesses.”
It has reiterated its calls for further engagement with the business community, saying: “More effort should be made to understand the specific issues faced by small businesses – such as those who operate from sub-metered premises and cannot be upgraded to smart meters.”
Smart Energy GB said in its strategy that responses to its recent consultation “agreed that this approach is proportionate to our task,” but said further consultation would be undertaken to inform its intended approach.
Smart Energy GB’s director of policy and communications Claire Maugham said: “The Department of Energy and Climate Change, which is leading the smart meter rollout, is working closely with energy suppliers to make sure that the programme delivers real benefits to businesses.
“Smart Energy GB will also continue to consult with experts and stakeholders to inform our approach to engaging with microbusinesses around Great Britain – so that as many as possible benefit from this new technology.”
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