Lord Bourne: smart meter deadline is not ‘insurmountable’

Energy minister Lord Bourne has reinstated the government’s commitment to the 2020 deadline for the smart meter rollout in the energy market, but admits it will be a challenge for industry to meet.

In a speech at a London event he said meeting the deadline, widely called for by industry to be extended, is an “ambitious” target but not an “insurmountable” one.

Bourne said the rollout has a “solid foundation” on which to build and continues to make “significant progress” with the first system integration testing by Data and Communications Company starting on schedule.

The energy minister said the Department for Energy and Climate Change would need to “ensure continuity and momentum over an extended period” in its self-imposed “conductor” role if the rollout is to remain on schedule.

Bourne said he had met with nearly all the major energy suppliers to “express the government’s commitment to this programme”.

He also said suppliers have a crucial role in engaging consumers and “must provide a good experience to customers” if the smart meter rollout is to bring about the necessary behaviour change needed to transition to a smarter Britain.

He said the early stages of the rollout have already brought about “positive change” for consumers, particularly welcoming the new offering of Smart Pay As You Go from some suppliers for prepayment customers.

Bourne said: “2016 will be a crucial year for the programme. Whilst I do not underestimate the challenge that lies ahead, I am optimistic and excited about the both the journey and the destination.

“The Government is committed to delivering smart metering by the end of 2020. It can be done if we all – government, suppliers, network operators, Smart Energy GB and its national and grassroots partners – work together.

“If we achieve that, then we will have the key to unlocking the future of a smarter Britain – that’s what consumers will quite rightly demand and that’s what we must deliver.”