Smart meter updates
Switching of smart meters to become remotely read – mid June
Commencing mid June, electricity distributors Jemena and United Energy Distribution (UED), will switch installed smart meters from basic functionality to remotely read interval meters. Your electricity distribution company is determined by the location of your property (see map below). If you live in the Jemenaor/ UED distribution areas you may notice some changes to your bill as part of the switch to interval metering. Other Victorian distribution companies are expected to commence this process later this year. There is no change to your contract or tariff at this time.
Victorian electricity distribution map
Moratorium on proposed network tariffs– March 2010
On 22 March 2010 the Victorian Government announced a change to the Victorian smart metering program. This included a temporary freeze on the introduction of new network Time of Use (ToU) tariffs for smart metered customers to allow for a full assessment of consumer impacts. The roll out of Smart meters is not affected by this freeze and the metering charges put in place in January 2010 remain unchanged.
Smart meter installation on track – October 2009
More than 5,000 new smart electricity meters have been installed in the past six weeks. The meters are being installed by Victoria’s five electricity distributors – the businesses responsible for building and maintaining the state’s electricity poles and wires – Jemena, UED, SP Ausnet, CitiPower and Powercor.
Victoria is the first state in Australia to give the go ahead for the widespread rollout of smart meters.
Smart meter rollout launch – April 2009
Energy and Resources Minister Peter Bachelor launched the program to roll out new smart electricity meters to 2.5 million Victorian households and small businesses. Mr Batchelor said the new meters provide several key features including:
- The ability to read meters remotely;
- The ability to automatically notify distributors if loss of supply is detected, helping to speed up supply restoration;
- The ability to remotely connect and disconnect electricity supply; and
- The ability for customers to receive accurate readings on their electricity use at 30 minute intervals, making it easier for customers to monitor their energy consumption and cost.
Useful links
