Ministry of Energy: Smart meters will be operational in five months
Electricity market operators will be ready to implement differentiated tariffs, including hourly tariffs, in about five months. This was mentioned during a meeting of the working group at the Ministry of Energy, attended by representatives of ANRE, FEE-Nord, RED-Nord, PED and PE supply, as well as experts in the field.
“Although the degree of implementation of smart meters and related equipment remains low, we are moving forward so that, during the year, we will have significant results in terms of precise and real-time monitoring of energy consumption. The introduction and application of differentiated tariffs, including hourly tariffs, is an essential element for encouraging energy efficiency and efficient network management. During the discussions, the existing differentiated tariffs were addressed, potential tariff methodologies were analyzed in the context of the current crisis and the stages and steps necessary to ensure the practical application of these instruments were discussed”, said the Secretary of State Cristina Pereteatcu during the meeting.
In the coming period, a calendar of concrete actions will be finalized to allow consumers already equipped with the necessary technology to benefit from the existing differentiated tariff options. In this regard, operators must determine and publish the minimum technical conditions and parameters necessary to help consumers choose the right meters and to inform them about the functionalities and advantages of smart metering.
Also, the participants in the meeting emphasized the need for a National Plan for advanced metering infrastructure implementation (AMI) on a large scale, which should include a rigorous calendar, in accordance with the European commitments expressed in the European Union Electricity Market Directive and with the measures in the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan. Such a plan will guarantee a coherent and efficient approach at the national level. The Ministry of Energy will develop and coordinate this National Plan soon.
