All current electricity meters in Flanders must be replaced by digital meters by mid-2029, but the Flemish energy minister is questioning this now that it appears that placing them will cost every household €1,000.
Digital electricity meters could cost families more than twice amount expected
Lisa Bradshaw
Published:
Flemish energy minister Zuhal Demir (N-VA) has asked for an updated cost analysis of digital electricity meters now that the Social and Economic Council of Flanders (SERV) has announced that they will cost families some €1,000 rather than the €400 originally announced.
Europe has asked member states to equip at least 80% of households with digital electrical meters. Flanders has already replaced 46% of household meters and is on track to reach 80% by the end of this year. But Flanders is going Europe one better by aiming for 100% by 2029 and by also replacing gas meters, which Europe has not requested.
According to SERV, households in most European states are paying some €500 for the new meters. That cost in Flanders is going to be €1,000. No family will get a bill for this: The cost is being added to monthly electricity bills over the following 15 years.
Costs are “unclear”
SERV released the figures after analysing the investment plan of electricity grid manager Fluvius. But SERV says it is unclear why the cost is twice as much in Flanders as it is elsewhere in Europe.
“There are indications that the cost for the placement of digital meters is higher than originally thought and that the advantages are less than expected,” Annemie Bollen of SERV told Radio 1.
Consumer organization Test Aankoop is now joining SERV in questioning whether 100% of households must have a digital meter and whether gas meters should be replaced at all considering that the use of gas is sharply declining. This has convinced Demir to ask Fluvius for a recalculation of installation costs compared to potential savings.
“Europe has not required digital gas meters,” said Bollen, “but Flanders is choosing to do it anyway.”
Advantages of digital meters
There are several advantages to digital electricity meters, such as being able to see exactly how much electricity the household is using and the potential to change energy contracts to eliminate the advance payment system. Households could simply pay what they have actually used every month.
“No one is questioning the advantages of digital meters,” Demir told VRT. “But we need to take a look at the timing and the priority. The decree that required a 100% roll-out was approved in 2019, but SERV’s advice is asking for a common sense approach. They are correct when they say that we will know a lot more about the cost compared to the advantages in five years’ time.”
In the meantime, the meters will continue to be placed to reach 80% saturation by the end of this year. Households are not allowed to refuse the meters. Anyone who refuses to allow the meters to be installed faces a fine.