Scotland’s island communities can’t be “at the back of the queue” as smart meters
are rolled out, SNP MSP for the Western Isles Alasdair Allan has said.
Smart meters
are the next generation of gas and electricity meters, displaying how much energy
is being used and at what cost – ensuring consumers get an accurate bill instead
of an estimate.
One of Mr Allan’s constituents was initially denied a smart meter
installation as there were no trained engineers in the area.
The householder was told he would have to wait until 2020.
The company eventually agreed to send an engineer on a ferry from the mainland to
install a meter for this single customer.
With rural and remote communities at highest
risk of fuel poverty, Alasdair Allan has called on energy companies to ensure that
island customers aren’t left to wait until the tail-
Mr Allan
said: “Island and remote communities are at particular risk of fuel poverty, in no
small part due to the fact that island homes can be very exposed to extreme weather.
“Smart meters are an important tool in managing our home energy use, and will be
particularly useful to those facing fuel poverty.
“One of my constituents kicked up
enough of a fuss to get an engineer despatched on a ferry – but there must be a better
way than sending engineers on huge round-
“Although
Scotland should have full powers over energy, the Scottish Government is already
working hard to tackle fuel poverty and will be introducing a Warm Homes Bill enshrining
fuel poverty targets in law.
“Energy companies should be prioritising rural communities,
not leaving them until the tail-
Islands at back of the queue for smart meters
6 April 2018