Australia’s AEMC recommends new obligations for 2030 smart meter rollout

All Australian energy customers would receive a smart meter by 2030, along with better information, protections and data in a new suite of rollout reforms proposed by the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC).

In the AEMC’s proposal, cost savings for customers would be made through a coordinated rollout led by energy networks developing a legacy meter retirement plan, with retailers overseeing upgrades to smart meters.

The AEMC’s final recommendations would see new obligations placed on retailers to provide customer-friendly information prior to meter installations, adequate notice regarding any tariff changes and a mandate on customer access to real-time data free of charge.

The smart meter rollout recommendations also include the development of a communications strategy to inform and assist consumers with their choices and support vulnerable customers with premises requiring remediation before a smart meter can be installed.

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Commenting on the recommendations was AEMC chair Anna Collyer: “Smart meters present clear benefits for consumers and form a crucial link for the wider energy system, paving the way for significant advances necessary to reach net zero.

“Today’s final recommendations aim to address key customer pain points by providing better notice ahead of tariff changes to prevent “bill shock”, as well as guidance for customers about how they can use tariffs to save on their power bill.

“Knowledge really is power and that’s why we’re also recommending a mandate on customer access to real-time data about their own energy usage, so that they can maximise their savings from the touch of a device in their own homes,” added Collyer.

The AEMC released its recommendations following a review of smart meters, finding that an accelerated rollout would help customers reduce their household bills in the short term and provide savings for all energy users in the longer term.

The independent review has determined that speeding up the rollout of smart meters to 100% of households by 2030 would provide net benefits to the value of AU$507 million ($327.8 million) for national electricity market regions, including New South Wales, Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory and South Australia.

The final recommendations take in feedback from extensive consultation with stakeholders and the AEMC will now work with energy advocacy bodies on next steps in the rule change process.

A draft report of 20 recommendations was released by the AEMC in November last year, which included changes to energy rules to support a more coordinated programme of meter replacements in addition to ensuring appropriate safeguards for privacy.