Jun 06 - Datamonitor

The UK's trade and industry secretary Alistair Darling has said that measures to make energy consumption more efficient will be a key element of the government's forthcoming energy review.

Among the steps likely to be recommended in the review is a major increase in the use of 'smart meters'. Smart meter technology would enable consumers to monitor much more accurately how much energy they use in the home by quantifying how much power is used by electrical appliances, such as a television in standby mode.

"If we can reduce energy demand - in absolute terms - we could reduce the need for some of the new power stations that we will otherwise need, with carbon emissions and energy security benefits," Mr Darling said.

Mr Darling went on to hint that suppliers should do their bit to help quell demand for power. He suggested that utilities could supply insulation or double glazing to consumers as well as energy, although in the recent past utilities in the UK have been turning their backs on this so-called 'own the home' strategy after a number of largely unsuccessful ventures into areas such as telecoms and roadside services.