The Linky meter was developed by Enedis, the main operator of the electricity distribution network in France.
In 2015, the deployment of smart meters for electricity metering was included in the law on energy transition for green growth.
And in 2016, at the request of Ademe, Enedis is committed to installing them in thirty-five million French homes by 2021, with the aim of covering the entire French territory by this date.
The installation of the Linky meter is the subject of controversy and disputes on the part of many individuals, consumer associations and several hundred municipalities.
Millions of people who refuse the Linky meter at their home in France will have to pay a supplement
People who refuse the installation of a Linky meter in their property in France after January 2023 will have to pay an additional €50 per year. This change will affect more than 3.8 million people.
This equates to an additional cost of €8.30 every two months, starting January 1, 2023. This will total €49.80 over one year.
This figure follows a public consultation and a report on the issue from the French Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE).
The supplement will be levied because the technicians of the national electricity network manager Enedis will still have to check the “old generation” meters on site, rather than having the readings automatically sent to them via the new system.
#Self-consumption = short circuit of electricity. Collective, it allows several people to share renewable energy produced locally. Enedis makes it possible thanks to the #Linky counter.
Information meeting in Badonviller with Lorraine Energies Renouvelables and Enedis pic.twitter.com/SaaP3WX514— Enedis in Lorraine (@enedis_lorraine) March 11, 2022
Although it is already estimated that 90% of households have Linky smart meters, the additional costs could affect up to 3.8 million people. This is the number that had still not had the new meter installed as of December 31, 2021, said CRE.
However, the additional fees will probably be reassessed in 2025, added the CRE. But with costs likely to rise again.
The Linky meter automatically sends readings to the electricity supplier, which Enedis says ensures fairer and more accurate bills.
Consumers can also track their energy consumption throughout the day, which means that their use will play an important role in the ecological transition and make consumption more environmentally friendly, says Enedis.
Similarly, the change of power delivered to the home, which once involved a technician arriving with fuses, is now done online for €3.76 instead of €37.
Counter controversy
Despite the apparent benefits, the meters have generated controversy since their introduction in 2018.
Critics said there was a risk of deadly radio waves causing health problems. That the Linky meter would allow other people to know the intimate details of a household. Or, that the cost would plunge the nation into debt.
There were even demonstrations and reports that a starch attracted ants.
However, with most of the predicted disasters not having materialized, most people have now had a meter installed.
Enedis was legally required to replace 80% of the old mechanical meter fleet by the end of 2021. It said it was on track to do so, with 30 million deployed by the end of December.
This was in accordance with a directive from the European Commission. Directive that all Member States must move to at least 80% smart meters by this date.
However, in November 2020, a court in Bordeaux ruled that it could not agree with Enedis that there is a legal obligation for the consumer to accept the installation of a Linky meter. But still, that the European directive did not impose an obligation.
Other reported controversies include scammers entering homes under the guise of settling in to steal. While other scammers have signed residents to new energy suppliers without their knowledge. This always under the pretext of installing Linky devices.
The commune of Chauconin-Neufmontiers has been fighting for years against Linky. His decree, prohibiting the installation of the meter, has just been canceled by the Melun court.https://t.co/uH15TsMEEr via @actufr
— N. Autacaace (@NaAutacaace) March 11, 2022
Enedis has indicated that it does not carry out any telephone or physical canvassing. Whether by its team or its service providers. However, the notice is usually sent two or three weeks before the installation date.
Alert to the criminal scam of Linky electricity meters in the north-west of France
Households are warned to beware of the return of the variant of a common scam. A scam in which criminals attempt to enter victims’ homes. This by pretending that they are there to update the Linky electricity meter.
It was in Saint-Brieuc, in Côtes-d’Armor that the warning was issued following a wave of crimes.
Authorities said homeowners should always ask for identification from anyone they don’t know who calls their home claiming to represent a utility company or government agency. If necessary, call the local offices of the company any caller says they are with.
But still, never leave the person alone in your house.
Enedis, the company that operates and maintains the electricity network, has indicated that it does not carry out any telephone or physical canvassing. Whether by its teams or by its service providers.
However, this is not the only scam involving Linky counters.
Unscrupulous door-to-door sellers in Poitiers changed owners’ electricity supplier without their consent. This after accessing the meter and reading the customer’s registration number.
