Dive Summary:

• The U.K. government issued a new series of smart meter rules Wednesday aimed at safeguarding user privacy and security.
• Smart meter suppliers will be required to remind customers about options and choices that are available, as well as to provide the government with annual reports.
• The U.K. currently has an overarching smart meter program intended to get the devices into 30 million homes and businesses by 2019.

From the article:

"... The installation and running costs of the smart meters will be paid for by consumers through their utility bills, largely with the “Big Six” utilities: Electricite de France SA, EON, SSE Plc (SSE), Centrica, RWE AG (RWE)’s Npower unit and Iberdrola SA (IBE)’s Scottish Power division. The government estimates the program will end up paying for itself, with the 11.7 billion pounds ($18.9 billion) of investment resulting in 18.7 billion pounds of energy savings. ..."