ESMIG welcomes the Action Plan for Affordable Energy published by the European Commission and fully supports its objective to decrease energy prices for citizens and businesses in the European Union.
Increasing system flexibility through demand response is a key aspect of this strategy which goes together with the deployment of smart metering systems.
The Commission rightly acknowledges that an acceleration of rollout of smart meters is needed, but the Action Plan lacks detail and concrete proposals to complete the rollouts in the EU.
Our recommendations include:
- Establishing a clear, ambitious, and binding target for the completion of smart meter rollouts by at least 80% for all Member States across the EU by 2030.
- Setting an EU target on performance standards next to an ambitious target for completing rollouts: Ensuring that smart meters have the required functionalities and are used to their full potential to benefit system operators and empower consumers.
- Mandate Member States to repeat or reassess their Cost-Benefit Analyses (CBAs), where they were negative or inconclusive.
Member States with limited smart meter deployment leave consumers at a disadvantage, impeding their ability to better manage their energy consumption to reduce costs, and actively engage in the transition, as highlighted by the recent energy price crisis.
You can check out our Manifesto here and download the Action Plan here.