NVE has the opinion that it is time for a roll out of smart metering in Norway. Both customers and utilities (grid companies) will achieve benefits by changing existing meters with smart metering solutions. A roll out to all 2.6 million customers will a cost of four-five billion NOK (500 – 650 million €) and could be completed before 2012.

Today it is recommended that all customers with annual consumption more than 100 MWh, shall be read remotely with 1 h resolution. This represents about 60% of all electricity consumption in Norway.

NVE is of the opinion that households and small commercial customers as well, will benefit from smart metering. It will make possible an efficient exchange of information between customers, grid companies and suppliers.

Benefits for customers and the companies involved
For the customers it will be more convenient to change supplier. They will get more information and overview of their own consumption and consumption pattern. The result will be better control of energy efficiency actions. Customers will not any more need to read their own meter and send meter value to their local grid company every second or third month. If some power interruptions with long duration occur, the system will make it possible to document it in a way that makes the customer able to sue for damage.

The local grid companies will achieve several benefits related to efficiency. Among others, the meter value collecting processes will be more efficient. More specific information about flow of energy and demand in the grid will help in operation, planning and investments.

- Sweden is already in a process of rolling out smart metering, and NVE envisages to benefit of their experiences when our work regarding clarifying what kind of minimum requirements that shall be addressed to the meter equipment, NVE director Marit Lundteigen Fossdal says.

Among the issues that NVE will clarify, is how often meter readings shall be done and if there shall be any requirements regarding power failure registrations and earth faults.  

A small increase in grid tariff
Estimation so far, indicates that a full deployment of smart metering will cost between 500 and 650 million EURO. The consequence of is investment is that the typical household customer will get an annual increase in their total cost of 5-6 €.

NVE believes that it will be possible to fulfill a roll-out to all 2.6 million customers before 2013. However regarding the time schedule it is necessary to clarify and agree upon together with the utilities and consumers’ organizations.