SWALEC Smart Meter Trial:

SWALEC will announce tomorrow its intention to undertake a large scale energy efficiency trial in South Wales using smart meters to provide a range of benefits to customers.

The smart meter technology trial will involve 2,500 Swalec customers in Newport and Cardiff. These customers will be among the first people in Wales to experience the benefit of smart meters, including real time information about their gas and electricity consumption and entirely accurate bills. Swalec is also expected to announce a community partnership that will help an entire community find ways to reduce their energy use, with the help of smart meters. The aim is to help create the most energy efficient community in Wales.  

It comes as Assembly Members will be told that next generation technology electricity and gas meters in homes and businesses will be the key to helping Wales reduce its carbon emissions. The Assembly’s Sustainability Committee will tomorrow hear that the smart meters will provide all Welsh consumers with information that can help them reduce their energy consumption and cut carbon emissions – as well as saving them money on their bills. 

The Energy Retail Association (ERA), which represents the country’s largest energy suppliers, will give evidence on the benefits of smart meters to the Assembly’s Sustainability Committee inquiry on carbon emission reductions in Wales. The ERA wants the UK Government to press ahead with the installation of smart meters in every home within 10 years. Russell Hamblin-Boone, director of corporate affairs at the ERA, said, “Smart meters have the potential to revolutionise the whole energy industry and change the way customers are billed for their energy use. “I am looking forward to providing information to the Sustainability Committee inquiry about their benefits to Wales in cost and environmental terms.”