Recommendation 9

These energy reductions show a slight improvement on earlier estimates included in the Department’s 2019 cost benefit analysis.26 The Department told us it considers the expected percentage reduction in energy use is being maintained and that in a ‘much higher energy price world’, the actual monetary benefits will have significantly increased.27 However, the Department needs more up-to-date data to be confident that smart meters are saving consumers money on their energy bills, in line with its expectations.28 It does not plan a full evaluation, including assessment of the impacts on consumers, until the completion of the rollout.29