Plan for the Progressive Replacement of Electricity Meters (Smart meters)

Last updated: 5 November 2017
The national Plan for the replacement of electricity meters, as recorded in Order ITC/3860/2007 of 28 December, revising the electric tariffs from 1st January 2008, requires the replacement of all the electricity meters for contract power under 15kW, and installation of equipment allowing time-of use and telemanagement before 31 December 2018. The said replacement, which mainly affects users in households and SMEs, will be progressive. It will occur in four phases covering the 11 years, each aiming to replace a certain percentage of the electricity meter stock. Specifically, the number of units that each utility service provider (distribution company) needs to replace is established as a percentage of the firms entire meter stock for given kinds of power contracts, and is as follows: - Between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2010, 30% of the whole meter stock up to 15kW to be replaced; - From 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2012, 20% of the meter stock; - Between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2015, 20% of the meter stock; - Between 1st January 2016 and 31st December 2018, 30% of the meter stock to be replaced. Distributors must request authorisation for their telemangement systems, equipment and protocols for approval to the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade, and then present their meter substitution plan to the autonomous communities. They must specify the criteria for the installation of meters in each period, specify the number of meters to be installed, and outline how they communicate this information to customers (that installation is required, and that they then have the option of buying or renting the equipment).

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