The European Commission will propose binding EU-wide targets for the rollout of smart meters as part of a broader electrification push aimed at lowering power bills and reducing Europe’s dependence on fossil fuels, according to a draft proposal obtained by POLITICO.
Under the draft proposal, member countries would be required to ensure that at least 50 percent of households and other final consumers are equipped with smart meters by 2030, rising to 65 percent by 2033. The figures remain in square brackets, meaning they are likely to be changed before publication.
“By enabling consumers to adjust their consumption to periods of lower prices and to benefit from more efficient use of the electricity system, smart metering systems can contribute to more affordable and predictable energy bills,” the draft text says.
Alongside the smart meter targets, the draft also includes reforms to network charges — which account for roughly a quarter of household electricity bills — to incentivize consumers and grid operators to use electricity networks more efficiently and reduce costly grid investments.
