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Energy UK, smart meter display manufacturer geo and the RNIB announced today they have been working to develop an Accessible In-Home Display for blind and partially sighted customers.

Smart Energy GB has won two awards at the CIPR PRide Scotland Awards 2018 for its campaign to raise awareness of the smart meter rollout in Scotland

A new survey released on International Coffee Day (October 1) has revealed the top reasons why Welsh people drink coffee, with 21 per cent of coffee drinkers saying they use it as a caffeine ‘fix’ to fuel their busy lives and a quarter (25 per cent) saying they drink it to relax. According to calculations by Smart Energy GB as part of its Campaign for a Smarter Britain, if everyone in Wales had a smart meter installed by their energy supplier at no extra cost, we could save enough energy to fuel the nation’s coffee drinking habits. The typical annual energy savings from having a smart meter installed could save a single household enough energy to make 20,000 cups of instant coffee a year. The poll also showed that coffee culture in Wales shows no signs of slowing down, with 70 per cent of Welsh adults drinking at least 1 cup of coffee a day. The top reasons why people in Wales drink coffee listed were: 1. I like the taste – 63 per cent 2. To ‘start’ the day – 33 per cent 3. To relax – 25 per cent 4. To socialise – 21 per cent 5. Out of habit – 21 per cent 6. For energy – 21 per cent Fflur Lawton, Head of Policy and Communications Wales, Smart Energy GB, said: “It’s no secret that Welsh people like their coffee, whether it’s an artisan roast, home brewed or good old instant, we’re definitely a nation of caffeine lovers. “But what people might not realise is how much energy it takes to make their daily fix - and that’s where smart meters come in. “By getting a smart meter from your energy supplier at no extra cost, you’ll be able to see in pounds and pence how much gas and electricity you’re using not just to make your coffee, but also on every appliance within your home, helping you to identify where you’re wasting energy. “This means that you can save your energy and money for the things that you enjoy - like even more coffee.” -ENDS- N.B. Calculations undertaken by Smart Energy GB and available upon request About the survey All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1,003 adults, of which 884 were coffee drinkers. Fieldwork was undertaken between 13th - 17th September 2018. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all Welsh adults (aged 18+). International Coffee Day The International Coffee Organisation and its coffee associations chose 1 October as International Coffee Day so people around the world could celebrate together. About Smart Energy GB Smart Energy GB is the voice of the smart meter rollout. It’s our task to help everyone in Great Britain understand smart meters, the national rollout and how to use their new meters to get their gas and electricity under control. Our national campaign is reaching households and microbusinesses in England, Scotland and Wales. For more information visit our website smartenergyGB.org About smart meters and the rollout Smart meters replace the traditional meters we currently have in our homes. They enable accurate bills, near real time information on energy use in pounds and pence, and greater control over the way we buy and use energy. The smart meter rollout is an essential technology upgrade, unprecedented in its scale, to improve Great Britain’s energy infrastructure. There are already more than 12 million smart meters installed in homes and microbusinesses across Great Britain. Every household in England, Scotland and Wales will be offered one at no additional cost. Contact your energy supplier about getting your smart meter. Smart Energy GB media contacts For more information including interview requests, case studies of smart meter users, infographics, photography and video content please contact the Smart Energy GB media team: Helen Croney: [email protected] 0131 322 6204 / 07921 458 041

Smart Energy GB’s creative use of social media to reach younger audiences has been recognised at the Marketing New Thinking Awards.

A new survey has today revealed the top reasons why we leave the lights on in empty rooms – with around one in eight (12 per cent) saying they leave it on as a nightlight while they sleep.

Smart Energy GB and Action on Hearing Loss have joined forces in a new partnership to help people with hearing loss to access information on the benefits that smart meters bring.

Smart Energy GB response to the BEIS quarterly report on smart meter installations

Smart meters will help modernise our energy system and improve customer’s experiences, as Citizens Advice recognise.

It is important to remember that no-one will ever be forced into a variable tariff - the choice will always be the customer’s

The funding will be used to promote the benefits of smart meters