Australian Treasurer, Scott Morrison, has today slammed the use of electricity smart meters, asserting they should not be forced onto consumers.
Mr Morrison affirms electricity smart meters – which raise the cost of electricity in peak times – should be used at the discretion of customers.
His remarks rebuff the recommendation of a parliamentary committee report, encouraging smart meter rollout to all consumers by the Australian Energy Market Operator.
The 133-page committee report states “the reliability of the grid at times of peak demand has become of particular concern”.
Mr Morrison has advocated for a “consumer centric approach”, affirming it is ultimately “the consumer’s choice”:
“We favour very much a consumer driven approach around these sort of things and when customers want to use their own demand management devices”
“Where those things benefit consumers and they want to take them up to help manage their energy consumption then I think that provides real opportunities for them”
“But when it comes to how and when I see that as the customer’s choice”.
Released yesterday, the bipartisan report states smart meters and dynamic billing are essential for managing electricity grids.
Smart electricity meters aim to reduce demand by raising power costs during peak periods. The technology was rolled out after data revealed South Australia & Victoria are unable to produce sufficient energy, on extremely hot days with limited wind.
