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Electricity Grid

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020

Tuesday, 8 September 2020

Ceisteanna (157, 158)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

157. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if the ESB Networks works to replace domestic electricity meters with smart meters will be rolled out nationally; the entity that carried out the safety testing on the meters in relation to radio frequency EMFs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22265/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

158. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if ESB Networks, in replacing electricity meters with smart meters, allowed customers to refuse to have smart meters installed; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22266/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 157 and 158 together.

The Programme for Government commits to ensuring that the energy efficiency potential of smart meters starts to be deployed in 2021 and that all mechanical electricity meters are replaced by 2024. The Smart Meter Upgrade is a meter replacement programme to modern, smart-ready technology. New generation electricity meters are being rolled out across Europe and internationally and when the programme completes in Ireland in 2024 all domestic and business premises will have a new modern meter installed.

The upgrade will encourage energy efficiency, support an increase in renewable power on the energy system, facilitate microgeneration and result in lower overall costs for consumers. The installation of smart meters is a key enabler for the energy transition to a decarbonised system as outlined in the Climate Action Plan.  

The programme is being coordinated by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities with ESB Networks responsible for rolling out the smart-ready electricity meters.

Smart meters are considered safe. Health authorities around the world, including the World Health Organisation, have assessed the scientific evidence and there are no established health effects from smart meters. In the delivery of smart meters, ESB Networks is required to ensure that the meters would, at a minimum, meet Irish and EU product health and safety legislation and standards which require manufacturers to ensure that any product placed on the market is safe. In particular, smart meters in Ireland must comply with the ICNIRP Guidelines on limiting exposure to electromagnetic fields. The ICNIRP - the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection - guidelines have been recommended by the EU and Ireland has committed to compliance with them.

A customer who does not want an upgraded meter will be able to decline to have this new meter installed.  However, the intention is that the default position will be for the installation of a smart meter for newly constructed dwellings and other premises or where meters are due for replacement at the end of their life. Under its licence ESB Networks is required to have in place a code of practice covering persons visiting land and/or premises on behalf of the licensee and a Complaints Handling Procedure which applies in the event that an issue arises.

Since September 2019, when ESB Networks commenced the replacement of over 2 million electricity meters, over 100,000 electricity meters have been installed to July 2020.

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