The Energy Regulatory Commission is considering applying additional charges to those who have not installed a Linky meter.
Their generalization caused controversy almost ten years ago. The Energy Regulatory Commission is considering a new strategy to overcome reluctance. Linky, from the Enedis group, has been widespread since 2015 as a result of a European directive, and already 37,300,000 homes are equipped with it. This communicating meter can be controlled remotely and is capable of monitoring consumption in real time. But for the 2,100,000 who have kept an old-style meter (i.e. around 5% of the population), additional costs could apply.
The CRE presented its plan as part of a six-week public consultation, ending Friday November 22, explains The World. It will make its final decision at the beginning of 2025, when announcing the next tariff for the use of electricity networks. If the text remains as is, refractory households will have to pay a certain sum to Enedis, a subsidiary of EDF: 41.58 euros per year at least, or even an additional 25.08 euros, if users do not transmit it themselves. their consumption reading or if they do not schedule a meter reading appointment. A bill that households will have to pay at the rate of payment every two months.
Fees to offset costs related to old meters
Linky automates meter readings, and allows you to track household electricity expenses. There is therefore less chance of overpaying the energy company. But this technology does not please privacy advocates. By monitoring a household’s consumption hour by hour, it is possible to know when residents are present or not, even which machines are used, etc. Something to be afraid of in the event of data leaks. But Enedis ensures that the data collected is anonymized.
The other question is its dangerousness. The waves emitted by the meter are possibly carcinogenic, according to the WHO. But according to the National Frequency Agency, the electromagnetic radiation produced by Linky is 800 times weaker than that of a toaster.
The CRE therefore hopes that the application of additional costs could convince these refractory parties to install the Linky meter. It is also about offsetting the costs linked to old meters, “in particular to the information system, to foot reading and controls, to customer contact”, she assures. One exception should however be noted: no fees will apply to those who are technically unable to have a Linky meter installed, for example, if excessive work is necessary to adapt the electrical network in their home.