The Energia Customer Solutions business has been planning diligently for this major market change for quite some time. We're now getting ready to launch our smart products and services to the market, very soon.
As with anything new, questions are raised, the unknowns prompt concern and there are challenges with understanding the benefits and basics for what this change really means.
Our goal as a customer centric energy supplier is to simply help customers understand the key benefits that come with new smart digital electricy meters, to make their choice a little easier.
Firstly, lets give a brief background for anyone still new to SMART
In September 2017 the CRU (Commission for Regulation of Utilities) announced the details of the delivery plan for the introduction of smart meters to Irish homes and businesses. The CRU tasked ESB Networks with the roll-out of the National Smart Metering Programme (NSMP), which requires the replacement of all existing electricity meters with Smart Enabled Meters. The roll out programme will be delivered in a phased approach. Commencing with an initial delivery of 250,000 meters in 2019 - 2020, and approximately 500,000 meters in each of the following 4 years.
Positively, smart meters will also support the move to a carbon free electricity network - enabling smart grids, e-vehicles, local renewable generation and microgeneration.
What are the key customer benefits of smart meters?
Not only will smart meters benefit our customers, they will also be beneficial to the economy and the environment. The three key benefits that we believe will best benefit customers are below.
Accuracy & no need for reads: As the meters are read automatically, estimated bills will be no more. This means more accurate bills for customers and no need to submit meter readings.
Potential to save money & become more energy efficient: Having access to three 'time of use' bands will give customers the option to use energy wisely and save based on day, night and peak periods of the day.
Also in the pipeline, plans will see functionality within the meter to allow ESB Networks to find faults faster, making your meter safer and more efficient to manage.
Another important thing to know is that only customers who have had their smart meter installed can avail of a smart meter energy plan/tariff.
If customers have a smart meter, they can choose between a new smart 'Interval' or 'Non-Interval' plan.
Regardless of what type of smart plan our customers sign up to, all smart plans offer the benefits of time of use tariffs.
To help explain some of these benefits, we've created a helpful video for existing Energia customers. This video shows a typical customer journey for any customers who choose to upgrade to a new Smart Interval energy plan.
The potential for innovation with this shift in the energy industry is vast. We are excited to grow with the energy evolution, playing a more engaged part of our customers' lives. As an energy utility business, we have a corporate and social responsibility to help Ireland build a greener future and reach our Climate Action Plan targets.
Energia can do this by supporting the adoption and driving education on the positive use of smart meters. The more customers in Ireland we have on smart energy plans, the less CO2 our electricity infrastructure emits.
We plan to launch new and more flexible smart products throughout 2021 to offer tailored solutions for our customers' varied needs and lifestyle choices.
Thank you to the Energia SMART Project team and all functions across the business who have assisted with delivering on this major project for the Energia business and our customers.
#PositiveEnergy #GreenerFuture #Energia
