The smart meters are scheduled to be rolled out as standard to homes and businesses throughout the UK by 2020, as part of a Government initiative.
Besides replacing existing gas and electricity meters, the new meters will bring estimated savings of £65 per year, send readings directly to energy suppliers, eliminating estimated bills, and also display the amount gas and electricity being used by customers, as well as the cost in pounds and pence.
British Gas managing director Chris Weston said smart meters mark a new era for energy customers by transforming the way energy use can be managed in their homes and businesses.
”Our £600m investment in Landis+Gyr’s smart metering solutions means we can provide smart meters cost-effectively to our customers, and bring them the benefits of this innovative technology as soon as possible,” Weston added.
Commenting on the contract, Landis+Gyr Andreas Umbach said, ”It allows us to achieve significant economies of scale in meter production, to expand our UK operations and to further establish the UK as a global centre of smart energy excellence.”
As part of the contract, Landis+Gyr is expected to double its UK workforce and extend its manufacturing facilities to address the demands of both British Gas’s roll-out, and also of its other UK customers as the roll-out advances.
