Major replacement of meters in Poland. The first important deadline is passing soon

In 2021, the government started a process under which all meters in Poland are to be replaced with smart ones. Today, the readings have to be written down manually and sent to energy companies, which from time to time delegate employees to check the meters to check whether the data matches the consumption. Modern meters themselves transmit such information to the enterprise and do it much more often, because they send information every quarter of an hour or even every few dozen seconds. The assumption is that this will reduce electricity consumption by 10%, which will result in lower bills.

A major replacement of meters is underway

By 2028, there will be 17 million intelligent people throughout the country. In the first period, i.e. by the end of 2023, operators must replace the meters of 15 percent. recipients. Over the next two years, this number is expected to increase to 25%. By 2027, the smart meter is expected to be 65 percent. customers, and in 2028 – 80 percent. Old meters to disappear completely by 2030 –

For customers, the exchange is free of charge. It is borne entirely by the operator, and in total, the installation of smart meters will cost PLN 9 billion. So far, 4 million meters have been replaced. Energa has already exchanged the most, over 2 million. In July, he replaced only a few hundred meters. Replacement customers must prepare access to the old meter. If it is outside and not closed, it may turn out that it will not need our help with replacing it at all.

Smart meters vulnerable to cyberattacks

Modern counters can be the target of attack. The threat to energy security posed by cybercriminals is exacerbated by the issue of certification of smart meters. The industry has been warning for many months that companies from outside Europe (mainly from Asia)

We are probably the only EU country where there is no certified entity dealing with testing, compliance verification and checking of hardware and software in terms of digital security and interoperability. (…) This is happening at the expense of European and Polish producers and our domestic economy.”

– wrote the National Chamber of Commerce for Electronics and Telecommunications last year.

There is no entity responsible for basic verification/audit of potential suppliers for hundreds of millions of meters equipped with tools allowing for remote ‘cutting off’ of energy.

– warns KIGEiT. Smart meters not only give hackers a chance to cut off electricity. Such devices also collect personal data.