Overview
- The government reform package now sets a target to equip more than 90% of mandatory metering points with smart meters by the end of 2030 and explicitly names a simplified 'Smart Meter Light' as a tool to reach that goal.
- A Smart Meter Light would send regular consumption readings like a full smart meter but generally omit the Smart Meter Gateway’s remote-control function to reduce hardware, certification and connectivity costs.
- Before any Light devices can be standardized or installed, the Economy Ministry must set legal cornerstones, the Federal Office for Information Security must issue cybersecurity protection profiles, and VDE‑FNN must draft technical specifications.
- Supporters say the Light could cut per-unit costs and bring dynamic tariffs and small household storage into grid-stabilizing use, while industry critics warn it could create duplicate systems and might not speed the certified full Smart Meter rollout.
- High current costs and market fragmentation have slowed the full rollout so far, with full systems costing roughly €600–900 each, more than 800 metering-point operators in Germany and breakeven often cited only at very large scales.