Regulator criticised over energy firms' failure to help consumers save money via smart meters
The
Government
and the
energy regulator
need to do more to compel domestic energy providers to make better use of smart meters to allow consumers to save money and reduce emissions, the
Climate Change Advisory Council
has said.
Almost two million smart meters have been installed in
Irish
homes but the council noted that it can be hard for consumers and businesses to access the data the meters can produce.
That lack of information can, it warned, make it harder for people to decide on what plan they should be on to get the best value for money for their home.
There is legislation in place aimed at ensuring electricity suppliers offer customers price plans that allow them to save money, change consumption patterns and reduce emissions.
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However, the council said on Wednesday it was disappointing that the deadline for delivering new tariffs had been delayed by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU).
The council also reiterated its call for the accelerated roll-out of renewable energy to enable the State to transition away from its reliance on fossil fuels.
'Despite the installation of almost two million smart meters, people, households and businesses cannot easily access data on the consumption of their electricity to avail of better tariffs,' said the chairwoman of the council, Marie Donnelly.
Marie Donnelly, chairwoman of the Climate Change Advisory Council. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
'Electricity suppliers must provide new tariffs, as set out in legislation, which is vital to both altering consumption patterns and shifting electricity usage away from peak times, and saving people, households and businesses money.
'It is for these reasons that we are calling on the CRU to reconsider its decision to extend the deadline for electricity suppliers to offer these new tariffs.'
Ms Donnelly said the continued reliance on harmful imported fossil fuels for electricity generation means the State's electricity is more carbon-intensive than that of many other EU members.
The rate of renewable electricity capacity development has been far below what is required to meet emissions reduction targets, and the council has said significant action is needed to expedite the deployment of renewables at pace.
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