"Currently, it is our officers who read the metres. That's why our customers are using the pro-rata system. Our new solution means they will be paying exactly for what they've used. It is convenient and gives future savings as well," says Tomasz Topola, Spokesman for Tauron Dystrybucja.
Additionally, it will be possible to read the current usage on the metre. According to Tauron, this may reduce electricity consumption.
"This will work like instant fuel metres in your car. Drivers who see how much fuel they consume when they accelerate will slow down automatically. Our customers will do the same when they notice how much electricity they consume, and they will look for future savings, e.g. by replacing old household appliances with new and energy-saving ones. A similar correlation has been established in the EU, where such metres are already in use," adds Tomasz Topola.
One metre costs about 300 PLN to replace. This will be covered by the customers. The amount will be split into a number of instalments and added to the bill. In practice, they will pay several PLN more than usual. The process to replace all metres in Wroclaw will take two years. Each customer will be visited by technical staff who will replace the metre.
"We would like to make it clear that our technical staff will not be taking any cash for their work. The money will be added to the bills. In case our staff ask for cash, you should immediately report an attempted fraud both to the company and to the police," warns Tomasz Topola.
According to EU regulations, member states will have to have 80% of the metres replaced by 2020. Wroclaw should be ready in two years' time.
Miłosz Turowski
