Avoid further delays in UK roll out
08/10/09
London, October 8 2009 – Sentec, the leading UK-based smart metering technology company, has called for stronger leadership on smart metering as the industry reaches a critical phase. Sentec has urged that a slow roll out will create wasted investment through continued dumb meter installation and will mean that the UK’s carbon footprint will stay unnecessarily high for longer. Managing director Mark England said: “There is no need for the UK to drag its heels on the smart meter roll out. Italy was able to roll out 30 million smart meters in four and a half years and the market has moved on considerably since them. France plans to have the meters integrated thought the country by 2016. The UK’s 2020 target looks ridiculous in comparison.” England continued, “The result of the DECC public consultation on smart metering is set to be published and the UK’s climate change committee report will be out soon. At the same time, in the run up to Copenhagen, we are all witnessing the wider political debate on the environment and the geopolitical issues concerning security of supply across Europe. In short, the way we all produce, consume and pay for our energy is set to change for good. And smart metering is at the heart of all this change. Right now there is a tremendous amount of confusion when it comes to tactics around smart metering. Our message is simple: the UK is ready to roll out smart meters now; there is no reason to delay. We need a commonsense approach that makes the most of the UK’s huge investment in this field in terms of money, time and intellectual capital. It’s crucial that we get the right strategy in place now to support the future development of the smart grid as we move towards the government’s vision of a low-carbon Britain.“ England, who will speak at the closing day of the industry show Metering Europe this week on behalf of Sentec, continued: “Europe’s foremost metering event could not come at a more significant time for the industry. The UK smart metering market is currently in the throes of a huge transition, similar to that experienced by the telecoms market about 15 years ago.” Hermione Crease, marketing director at Sentec, commented that the industry is now facing some specific challenges that will determine its future path: “As the market continues to evolve apace, smart metering companies are having to manage soaring demand for their products, while also delivering more sophisticated functionality and reducing the number of components in the standard meter design. What’s more, emerging players are now making the marketplace even more competitive.” Crease concluded: “Smart metering is a key part of the government’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions aggressively in line with EU targets and will enable suppliers and customers to share information that will help consumers take greater control of their own energy use. This should help them to cut costs and emissions, and has the potential to make a huge difference in its own right.” Metering Europe continues until 8th October 2009 at Fira Barcelona. Sentec can be found at stand 461.
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