Billing by hour

The electricity distribution companies have until 31 December 2018 to replace analogical electricity meters with capacity of 15kW or less with digital “smart” meters connected to a smart network and remotely managed by the company. This progressive replacement process is being undertaken by company technicians and is free of charge to the consumer.

Energy supply companies will now be able to charge for electricity at a different price depending on the time of day, in a system known as billing by hour.

It should be borne in mind that this system can only be applied when, in addition to having a remotely-controlled smart meter connected to the network, the customer has contracted the Voluntary Price for Small Consumers (VPSC), which is the fixed price for regulated market contracts (with a Reference Reseller Company) with a contracted capacity equivalent to or less than 10kW.

Those customers who do not yet have a smart meter or who have one without it being integrated into the remote management system will be sent an estimated bill, based on average customer consumption during the day and known as the average consumer profile.