Smart meters, draft: Within 7 years, 80% of consumers will have costs included in the tariff

2026-04-28 07:20:00, Ekonomi CNA

Smart meters, draft: Within 7 years, 80% of consumers will have costs included

The topic of smart energy meters has once again come back into focus. The new draft law “On the Electric Energy Sector” provides for a special article on smart metering systems, also setting the milestones of a concrete plan.

Specifically, Article 91 states that the deployment of these devices will not be done immediately, but after a thorough analysis of costs and benefits.

According to the article, the Energy Regulatory Authority (ERE) will determine the technical rules of the system, while the distribution operator will make economic calculations to see if the investment is profitable to implement on a large scale.

If the analysis is positive, a detailed 10-year plan for the installation of smart meters across the country is expected to be launched. According to the draft, at least 80% of consumers should be equipped with these meters within 7 years from the start of the process.

The cost of the project will be distributed gradually, thus implying a change in tariffs, while the ERE will also monitor whether consumers are really benefiting from the new system.

"If the promotion of the systematic deployment of smart metering systems is positively assessed as a result of the assessment referred to in point 2 of this article, the Distribution System Operator will carry out the deployment of smart meters in accordance with the technical and functional requirements determined by the ERE.

As a result of such a deployment, at least 80% of end customers will be equipped with smart meters within seven years from the date of positive assessment.

In the event of a systematic deployment according to point 4 above, ERE shall ensure that end customers contribute to the costs associated with the deployment in a transparent and non-discriminatory manner through network tariffs, taking into account benefits for the entire value chain,” states Article 91.

On the other hand, the article provides that if the analysis is negative, the system will not be implemented on a large scale, but every citizen will have the right to request the installation of a smart meter, paying the corresponding cost themselves. The distribution operator will have to do this reassessment every four years, depending on technological and market developments, while the ERE will report changes at the regional level.

Existing meters will continue to be used, but only those that meet the new requirements will be allowed to remain in operation until the end of their lifespan. The others will have to be replaced by 2031./ Monitor Magazine