The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is currently reviewing the economic case being made for the introduction of smart metering throughout Ireland. In principle, the CER said that it is in favor of introducing smart metering and time-of-use tariffs for all customers in Ireland.
Some of the reasons cited for its stance on the matter include that smart meters and time-of-use tariffs provide an incentive for consumers to individually manage their electricity use, and to consume electricity at times when it is less expensive to produce. Other benefits the CER highlighted were that smart metering allows for the remote, and potentially cheaper and more accurate, reading of meters, and should help cut down on theft and losses of electricity.
Following its consultation, the commission proposes to develop a pilot project plan to test the feasibility of smart metering and will work with ESB Networks to critically assess cost estimates and system requirements to support smart meters.
The paper also outlines a number of issues that need to be taken into account if smart metering and time-of-day tariffs are to be introduced in Ireland, including whether customers should have the choice to opt for time-of-day tariffs, and how the CER could go about requiring/encouraging all suppliers to offer time-of-day prices.
Interested parties have been invited to consider the approaches set out in the paper and to provide responses that will be taken into consideration by the commission.
