Mr Eamon Ryan TD, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has announced that a national programme to install a new smart electricity meter in every home would begin in 2008.
The first phase will begin with the installation of 25,000 smart meters in varied geographic locations.
The roll-out of the programme will be coordinated by the Commission for Energy Regulation with input from ESB Networks and Sustainable Energy Ireland.
Minister Ryan said - "I have long called for a national smart-metering programme. The commitment is in the Programme for Government and I am delighted to announce its implementation. I intend that a nationwide roll-out will be complete in 5 years.
"Currently, people do not know how much electricity they are purchasing at any given time of the day - or at what price. Smart meters have been likened to fuel gauges in cars. It is time that people become aware - through a device in their homes - of the electricity they use and how much it will cost" - the Minister added.
"Smart meters help customers to manage their electricity usage much more efficiently and flexibly. They will help us in reducing both our carbon emissions and electricity bills."
Minister Ryan went on to say - "Smart meters have many other benefits. These include better methods of selling power back to the national grid for micro-generators. They also equip electricity suppliers with real-time information. Along with more accurate billing for the customer, it means that suppliers and customers can work together to manage demand. This will be of great help to electricity customers and suppliers alike.
"The Power of One Street families showed us that the smart use of energy helped saved each family an average of €500 over 6 months. The families also reduced their carbon emissions by an average of 3 tonnes. These are significant savings both for householders' pockets and for the environment.
"Every home in Ireland can now be a Power of One home with the installation of these smart meters."
What is a Smart Meter?
A smart meter is simply a new type of electricity meter, capable of several functions that cannot be carried out by traditional meters. These new features could include -
* the storage and two-way communication - between supplier and consumer - of electricity consumption data by time of use;
* communication to a visual display, which can be easily located in a readily accessible location in a person's home;
* the ability to record exported units of electricity, as well as electricity consumed - and
* the ability to switch between credit and debit modes of operation without the need for manual intervention.
The Minister continued - "The CER will kick-start the programme by publishing the implementation framework for nationwide Smart Metering in a timely and cost-effective manner. All the cost implications and technical installation issues for the national roll-out will be addressed as we set up the pilot programme for the first 25,000 homes.
"We will only achieve our energy efficiency targets through concerted and genuinely nationwide action. A smart meter in every home will help us get there" - the Minister concluded.
ESB Networks expressed confidence that the project will provide a firm basis for a national roll-out in the coming years. ESB Chief Executive, Padraig McManus, said - "Energy cost-cutting and energy efficiency are integral parts of how Ireland can reduce its fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
"Smart metering is an ambitious project and is - in ESB's view - a required investment in our future. We are looking forward to working with the Minister, the Department and the Energy Regulator in its implementation."
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