translated from Spanish: The Government was set the vial: Jimenez Announces return of payments by concept of smart meters

A statement on the currency, without accepting questions from the pr ENSA, did the Minister of energy Susana Jimenez to make three announcements about smart meters, a theme that has become one of the major headaches of this administration in terms of adoption citizen but who has also opened him a flank friction with the companies of the sector.
After meeting with the Vice President Andrés Chadwick, the owner of energy reported that “suspending fees associated with smart meters, as well as be refunded entirely all charged to customers under this replacement”. Thus, payments made to households between June and September of 2018 will be deducted in the July electricity bill.
Also, secondly, he confirmed that only the new meters will be installed to customers who voluntarily informed, and expressly request them. “Those who voluntarily opt for the new meters will pay the cost for rental concept and will progressively receive its benefits,” said.
In terms of implementation, the Minister reported that “users will assume the costs and receive the benefits associated with the type of meter that each user decides to have”.
Thus, “those who decide to stay with the traditional meters will not pay the cost of the new meters, and their situation will remain exactly as it was even before joining fee the cost of the new meters.”
“In this way, will be the companies who will have the task of convincing customers of the benefits of the change of gauges, and will users who may voluntarily opt to change.  As Government we are convinced that this change must be conviction of each person without imposition from the State”, said the Minister of energy.
CGE statement
From the world of business, the CGE distributor issued a statement where “appreciates the initiative to suspend and return the payment already made for this concept” and stresses that the “announcement made by the Ministry of energy is given in the context of voluntary and” extension of the deadline for installation of these devices”.
The electric adds that “from the beginning, CGE has raised the importance of which of these meters installation with the widespread conviction of its advantages by citizenship. This, for it will communicate and inform their customers of the benefits that will bring this measure”.
Ends the Declaration stating that “the company reiterates its commitment and total willingness to clarify the doubts and concerns that may have their customers on this process. This, on the basis of the information that defines the authority”.
 

Original source in Spanish