Since the start of the year, some 3,600 Flemish residents have received a letter from network operator Fluvius for refusing to have a digital energy meter installed. Furthermore, 40 of them have now been fined.
For the first time, those refusing the digital meter for gas and electricity have been given notice of default by Fluvius. This has seen 40 households have to pay a cost of €273.84, Het Belang van Limburg reports.
"After we sent them a registered letter, 60% contacted us to agree to having a digital meter installed," Björn Verdoodt of Fluvius told VRT. "We contacted those who did not get in touch by telephone and we were still able to convince many of them."
The digital energy meter is mandatory in the European Union, and therefore also in Flanders. In other words, people cannot refuse the installation of a digital meter for electricity and natural gas and those who systematically ignore appointments for the installation or repeatedly fails to let the installer into their house can be given a notice of default.
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However, Verdoodt stated that many people still have incorrect information about the meters. For instance, some worry that the meter reading of their old mechanical meter will be completely lost when their digital meter is fitted. Verdoodt assured that this is not the case.
For those who ignore Fluvius' notice of default, a second notice may be issued – which also involves some costs. If there is still no response, a court summons will be issued, though this has yet to happen.
What about solar panels?
The digital meter is not (yet) mandatory for everyone: those who already had solar panels before 1 January 2021 – that were not over 15 years old at the time – can get an extension until 31 December 2024. Previously, they had been promised that they could keep their old counter for 15 years.
People who had solar panels installed in 2009 will still be able to enjoy those full 15 years. For those who had them installed before, the period of 15 years ended in 2021 – meaning they may no longer refuse a digital meter.
After 31 December 2024, refusing a digital counter will no longer be allowed for anyone.
