Under fire electricity supplier Opus claims to be the first energy firm to install energy-saving Smart Meters for free to its small business customers. Opus said it will spend £5m rolling out Smart Meters at all outlets that want them from September. Smart Meters allow energy suppliers to access meter readings remotely. It comes as complaints continue to be made to the MA about the service and pricing levels charged by Opus. The accuracy of meter readings is one problem that licensees have pointed to. Opus said the Smart Meters will enable the company to take real-time meter readings remotely, saving the customer the hassle of needing to submit their own meter readings and ensuring that bills are more accurate. Charlie Crossley Cooke, managing director of Opus, said: “This is a significant investment for us, but we feel strongly that when this type of technology is available with so many benefits for our customers, it should be provided free of charge. Smart Meters will not only improve the accuracy of our customers’ bills, the technology will also save them time and money, with the added benefit of helping to reduce climate change. “ Figures released by The Carbon Trust state that Smart Meter technology has the potential to save the UK’s small and medium-sized businesses £300million every year. In addition, a possible 5.1 million tonnes of CO2 could be saved each year by using the systems. Crossley Cooke added: “Our customers told us that Smart Meters are a priority for their business, so we’ve listened and decided to provide them free of charge.”

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