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Energy Bill [HL]

11: After Clause 71, insert the following new Clause— ““Smart metering strategy (1) The Secretary of State shall, following consultation with energy consumers and other interested parties, prepare and publish a strategy to deliver the intended benefits of smart meters to consumers, including in particular low income and vulnerable consumers. (2) It is the duty of the Secretary of State to report to Parliament on the progress of smart meter roll out every year starting from six months after the coming into force of this Part. (3) In preparing the strategy the Secretary of State must set out how the smart meter roll out will— (a) deliver to consumers the benefits identified in the impact assessment of July 2010; (b) ensure adherence to an independent code of practice for installation; (c) contribute to the carbon targets specified in the Climate Change Act 2008; (d) contribute to the elimination of fuel poverty as specified in the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000; (e) improve competition in the energy retail market, including in particular in relation to prepayment customers; (f) provide for the interoperability of smart meters; (g) work alongside wider Government programmes such as the Green Deal and water metering roll out. (4) The report should cover progress on the delivery of smart meters, including— (a) the number of smart meters installed in the United Kingdom, defined as per the Ofgem definition of a completed installation; (b) the costs and savings of the smart meter roll out; (c) the estimated benefits to consumers and taxpayers of the smart meter roll out, with particular reference to low income and vulnerable consumers; (d) estimated effects on the levels of fuel poverty; (e) the estimated energy and carbon reduction from the smart meter roll out; (f) the degree to which interoperability of smart meters has been achieved; (g) customer satisfaction indicators, including levels of complaint; (h) security of smart meters and smart grids in relation to privacy and commercial confidentiality.””