Smart meter transition:Consumer advocates warn of misleading information letters

Private households must receive a digital electricity meter, but not necessarily a smart meter. This sounds different in letters from an alternative provider.

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at 9:08 am CEST

2 min. read

By

Martin Holland

The North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Advice Centre warns against misleading letters in which a so-called competitive metering point operator urges the installation of a smart meter with false information. The letter gives the impression that consumers are obliged to install it and that it is also financially subsidized. Both are false, and the letters are thus fueling uncertainty. The obligation to install intelligent electricity meters lies with the generally responsible metering point operators – usually the local grid operators, explains the organization. Competitive metering point operators are companies that offer smart meters themselves and can set their prices.

Digitalization of the power grid

The process involves equipping all households in Germany with a digital electricity meter. This must be done by 2032 and by the generally responsible metering point operator. The devices may cost a maximum of 25 euros, explains the consumer advice center. They store some consumption data but cannot send it. This requires an intelligent metering system with a smart meter gateway, which is capable of doing just that. Such smart meters, whose installation is not mandatory, therefore cost between 40 and 50 euros per year. Anyone who wants such a device can order it from the generally responsible metering point operator.

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The misleading information mail comes from an unnamed company that sells smart meters freely and for which the price limits do not apply. Such companies could be involved, for example, if the grid operator does not yet install intelligent metering systems, explains the consumer advice center. In some cases, the devices are also sold as part of a complete package that promises to optimize electricity consumption. However, such offers should be carefully checked and compared, as they could be significantly pricier. In any case, fueling fears with misleading letters does not build trust.