Residential customers in NSW will now have the choice to have a smart-meter installed at their home enabling a much wider range of energy deals, the Australian Energy Council said today.

Under the NSW Government policy, customers will have a wider range of products to choose from using smart meters resulting in more information about their energy use, more accurate bills, better and more frequent billing options and faster service to consumers moving in and out of new premises.

The Australian Energy Council’s chief executive Matthew Warren said switching to new digital meters is like upgrading from a typewriter to a computer.

“The digital meters will be an essential and enabling tool in the 21^st century electricity system,” he said.

“There are millions of smart meters already installed in homes and businesses around the world.  They will help enable new technologies, whether its solar panels, storage or other devices that make homes more efficient.

“Changing the way we pay for electricity to reflect the costs of supplying it at different times rewards consumers who are more flexible and efficient with their energy use.

“Retailers look forward to bringing new and innovative products and technology to their customers as a result of this policy.  This will help the electricity industry keep pace with digital technology that is transforming the industry across the world.”