300,000 business smart meters by 2012
British Gas will be rolling out smart meters to homes and businesses across Britain following the announcement by the Government that energy suppliers will be responsible for the installation and maintenance of the new technology.
British Gas has the largest smart meter trial in the country with more than 50,000 smart meters installed. The company is poised to begin the roll-out across Britain, and help households and businesses use less energy, cut carbon emissions and save money
The Government’s decision means that British Gas will be able to create a new metering business unit of 2,600 new jobs by 2012. The company’s new ‘smart energy experts’ will lead the roll-out of smart meter technology for British Gas, and help customers with the best energy efficiency advice in their homes.
Smart meters will bring a transformation in customer service, with an end to estimated bills and the need to take physical, onsite meter readings. They will also pave the way for new technologies for renewable microgeneration, and improve the way energy is generated and distributed through the ‘smart grid’ of the future – designed to optimise energy use across the UK.
The provision of smart metering and energy solutions is a key focus for British Gas Business, as it helps its business customers manage their energy usage and meet regulatory requirements such as the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme.
British Gas Business is the largest provider of advanced and smart meters to UK businesses, with customers already benefiting from the new technology to reduce their gas and electricity consumption.
Jeff Whittingham, Head of Energy Services at British Gas Business said: “British Gas Business is committed to providing our customers with energy solutions and services to help them cut emissions and put them in control of their energy costs. Today’s announcement is key to achieving this. We expect to have 300,000 advanced and smart meters in operation by 2012, and estimate we will reduce carbon emissions in Britain by an estimated 3.2 million tonnes each year. With smart meters and our energy services business we are confident that we can help our customers reduce their fuel bills, and energy consumption by up to 10 per cent.”
British Gas Business was recently the only energy supplier to be selected for all five lots of a national contract to provide advanced and smart metering services and solutions to the public sector, worth an estimated £75million, and spanning central government departments, NHS Trusts, local councils and schools.
British Gas press office 0845 072 8002
