Landis+Gyr on the publication of the European Commission’s Communication

Zug, Switzerland, 15 July, 2015 – After over two decades concentrating on energy wholesale markets, it is encouraging to see the European Commission more closely examining those parts of the supply system that bring direct benefits to the end consumer, with special attention devoted to smart metering. In the 3rd Energy Package, smart metering was secondary to many other larger issues. In this Communication, the technology is finally recognised as the enabler to consumer participation and control.

“Smart metering is the greatest consumer empowerment tool to enter the energy supply system in over a century” said John Harris, Head of Governmental Affairs at Landis+Gyr. “If the Commission is looking to increase the information to consumers and put an infrastructure in place to help energy retail markets function more competitively, that is to be commended. Landis+Gyr has been investing in research and development and our smart metering systems already have exactly those functionalities the Commission deems necessary to increase consumer benefits.”

As the Communication correctly points out, the data provided by smart metering is key. The technology is secure and there is already regulation in place to ensure privacy issues are covered. Moreover, much positive work has been undertaken in the Smart Grids Task Force and elsewhere on this issue. Interoperability and open standards have been Landis+Gyr company philosophy for quite some time.

“Discussions about functionalities or standards should not prevent us from seeing the bigger picture: what is needed now to turn the New Deal for Energy Consumers into reality is to speed up the investments in and the adoption of smart technologies. Here Europe has already fallen behind other regions. We hope for a significant push with this initiative that will lead to a competitive, environmentally friendly and secure energy supply system,” concluded John Harris.

About Landis+Gyr

Landis+Gyr is the leading global provider of integrated energy management products tailored to energy company needs and unique in its ability to deliver true end-to-end advanced metering solutions. Today, the Company offers the broadest portfolio of products and services in the electricity metering industry, and is paving the way for the next generation of smart grid. With annualized sales of more than US$1.6 billion, Landis+Gyr, an independent growth platform of the Toshiba Corporation (TKY:6502) and 40% owned by the Innovation Network Corporation of Japan, operates in 30 countries across five continents, and employs 5,200 people with the sole mission of helping the world manage energy better.

Media Contact

John Harris

Regional Contact
Vice President & Head of Governmental Affairs and Public Relations
+41 41 935 6096