London MEP paves the way for "smart energy meters."

6.27.45pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 19th Dec 2005

Energy efficient light bulb

MEPs have voted to increase energy efficiency by forcing energy companies to tell their customers how much energy they are consuming. London's Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford has welcomed the measure, saying:

"New metering and billing measures are essential because they establish the fundamental principle that consumers have a right to information about how much energy they are using."

"It is only when people have such knowledge that they can start to adapt their behaviour and choose energy-saving options."

Smart metering services will allow consumers to check at a glance how much energy they are using and how much it will cost. The new meters are part of a package of measures that will also force energy companies, for the first time, to give individual consumers accurate and detailed bills along with information about the environmental impact of their energy use. Sarah Ludford added:

"A major cause of personal debt in this country is having a huge gas or electricity bill land on your door mat after months or even years of estimated bills, or no bills at all. An amendment to the directive introduced by the Liberal Democrats will require gas and electricity companies to send accurate, regular bills based on actual consumption."

"This will make a real difference to consumers by helping them to save money by cutting their energy use and stopping the widespread problem of serious debt because of unexpectedly large fuel bills."