Thousands of Vienna households still lack smart meters

The legally required replacement of old electricity meters with digital smart meters is almost complete in Vienna, but thousands of households in the Wiener Netze grid area still have older devices, ORF reports.

About 95 percent of households had completed the switch by 2024, covering more than 1.6 million meters. However, around 37,000 old meters were still awaiting replacement in April, Wiener Netze told Radio Wien on Saturday.

The calibration period for the old devices is expiring, meaning they will soon no longer meet legal requirements. Wiener Netze has repeatedly informed affected households in writing, in some cases by registered letter, about their replacement appointments.

If all attempts to make contact fail, the grid operator is legally required to take further action. This can include disconnecting the electricity supply or filing a lawsuit to recover the meter. Around 150 cases are currently with a law firm because Wiener Netze is required by law to sue.

Wiener Netze said it was nevertheless seeking dialogue and urged customers to arrange an appointment as soon as possible. If affected customers comply, there will be no sanctions, the company said.

Smart meters transmit consumption data to Wiener Netze through the electricity grid. Customers can view their consumption data on the smart meter web portal from the following day. For photovoltaic systems, the new meter also transmits the amount of electricity fed into the grid.

Customers can continue to opt out of receiving detailed consumption data. This does not apply to systems with heat pumps, energy storage units, electric vehicle charging points or other installations specified by law.