, Chair of the Business,
Energy and Industrial Strategy Select
Committee said in response to the National Audit
Office (NAO) report on smart meters, published
on Friday: “The NAO’s report
highlights the massive delays and problems associated with the
roll-out of smart meters. Costs are rising, and the 2020 target
will not be met.
Consumers have faced considerable frustration, experiencing
glitches with their meters, or finding their smart meters go
‘dumb’ when switching supplier. It’s important that consumers are
genuinely able to realise the savings available from having smart
meters installed in their homes. The Department for Business,
Energy and Industrial Strategy have serious questions to answer
about their management of the smart meter roll-out programme and,
as a Committee, we will be keen to examine in our evidence
hearing in the New Year whether it is feasible, desirable and
cost-effective to continue to plough ahead with the Government’s
2020 target. “
The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)
Select Committee evidence hearing on smart meters
announced today [Friday 23 November] will take place
on Wednesday
9th January and will follow up on
the findings and conclusions of the NAO ‘Rolling out smart
meters’ report (HC1680), looking at the roll-out programme and
its management by the Department for Business, Energy and
Industrial Strategy.
The evidence session is expected to cover issues relating to the
delays in installing smart meters, the management of costs by
DBEIS, the obligations placed on energy companies to deliver the
roll-out, and issues relating to the roll-out of SMETS1 meters
and their potential replacement by second-generation SMETS2
meters.
BEIS Committee evidence hearing on Smart Meters –
Wednesday 9th January (morning, timing
tbc)
Witness details
- Officials from
the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
(names & titles to be confirmed).
