DTe: Better Electricity Bills Due to Amendment of the Measurement Code

The Electricity Measurement Code will soon contain provisions regarding the submission of metering data to suppliers. This is one of the most important amendments contained in the amended Measurement Code published today by the Office for Energy Regulation (DTe). The Measurement Code contains rules for reading and exchanging meter data. The adequate exchange of data is of considerable importance for the timely and correct billing of end-users and is essential for the reliable operation of the electricity supply system. This amendment also prepares the Measurement Code for the liberalisation of the small-consumer market on 1 July 2004.

Another important amendment involves the responsibly to ensure the correct and timely recording of meter data and the submission of these data to their grid managers which will be assigned to all buyers of electricity. The amended Measurement Code includes a transitional scheme which stipulates that the buyers' responsibility for metering will be carried out in 2004 by the present (licensed) metering companies. Buyers are free to carry out their responsibility for metering themselves, provided they are recognised as parties responsible for metering by TenneT, the manager of the national high-voltage grid. Buyers may outsource their responsibility for metering to a third party, who is recognised as a party with responsibility for metering.

The amended Measurement Code will come into force on 1 March 2004. Until this time, the present Measurement Code will apply. The decision to approve the Measurement Code and the continuous text of the amended Measurement Code can be obtained from DTe's website.