As part of the Climate Action Plan and the move to a low carbon electricity network, ESB Networks is replacing 2.4 million electricity meters in homes, farms and businesses across Ireland with next generation meters. The introduction of this new technology will bring benefits to customers, the environment and the economy. 
Smart meters are the next generation of electricity meters. Using digital technology and the 2G mobile phone network, the smart meter will give customers access to accurate information on their energy usage throughout the day.

To date, more than 250,000 meters have been upgraded across the country. The programme began in Counties Laois, Kildare and Cork (Bandon) in Autumn 2019 and extended to parts of Dublin, Wicklow, Louth and Meath in 2020. The roll-out will continue on a phased basis and will extend to areas in counties Limerick, Sligo and Leitrim in the coming months. We aim to replace all 2.4 meters by the end of 2024. 

ESB Networks will give all customers notice when they are rolling out the meters in their respective regions. 

In addition, all new general domestic 24-hour connections and meter replacements for homes and businesses will receive a smart meter. 

 

Smart meters will bring many benefits to customers, the environment and the economy. This includes providing customers with greater access to more accurate information on their energy usage, facilitating the development of Ireland’s growing renewable generation, smart grids and support the electrification of heat and transport. In addition, the upgrade to smart meters will significantly reduce the need for manual meter readings and estimated bills which will enable more accurate billing.

Since February 26, customers that have a smart meter installed can now choose to avail of the new smart electricity products being offered by electricity supply companies. 

More information can be found here.  

Smart electricity meters measure electricity consumption in the same way that any other modern digital meter does. The meter then sends this information to ESB Networks using a 2G mobile phone network. The new meter also has the capability to provide data relating to power quality on the network which will enable ESB Networks to find faults quicker and manage the network more efficiently.
More information can be found here.

ESB Networks is committed to ensuring that the National Smart Metering Programme is delivered in compliance with applicable data privacy laws and that all customer personal data is safe and secure.
To ensure customer data is secure, access is tightly controlled, and they employ multiple layers of cyber security on its IT systems and business processes.  The meter has been independently tested from a cyber security perspective and its IT systems, which are protected by multiple firewalls, are also subject to regular independent testing and review.
ESB Networks has prepared and published Data Protection Impact Assessments which outline the measures taken to protect data and can be found here.