Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any assessment that has been made of the effectiveness of the role of smart meters in helping businesses manage energy (i) demand; and (ii) costs.
Minister for the Economy: The recently published Design Plan for the roll-out of smart electricity meters outlines the role that smart meters can play in supporting both households and businesses to better manage their electricity use, including the potential for reduced costs.
In developing the Design Plan, the Department considered evidence from other jurisdictions, including Britain and the South, where smart meters have already been rolled out. This evidence indicates that smart meters can help consumers, including businesses, to better understand and manage their electricity demand and associated costs.
By providing businesses with more detailed information on electricity usage, smart meters can support improved understanding of consumption patterns, help identify inefficiencies, and enable more informed decisions on energy use, including the adoption of low-carbon technologies. This can contribute to more effective energy management and reduced costs.
ENDS
Your MLA 