For some time now, it has been popular for politicians to use the buzzword ‘smart’ with almost anything. The word is used not to describe an elegant and clever person, but to denote a place or an object that is technologically advanced, and therefore, ‘intelligent’ and, in particular, extraordinarily efficient.
So, for example, a particular minister kept mentioning things like “Smart City” and “smart meters”, among others. However, judging by the current state of affairs, the word ‘smart’ must have acquired a very different meaning.
I do not have anything to say about Smart City and land speculation but I do want to comment about smart meters, because I have invested in two of them.
Hoping to cut our energy expenses, about a year and a half ago we decided to make use of a government scheme to help households invest in solar and photovoltaic panels. This, of course, entailed the installation of smart meters.
However, the last bill we received dates back to August 2011, covering the period April 26 to June 30, 2011. Moreover it wasn’t a real bill but only an estimate. This means that, since we’ve installed the panels, we have not had a single bill that shows whether, and to what extent, we are fulfilling our environmental obligations, and whether we are cutting down on our energy consumption and expenses. And, of course, at any moment, we might receive a massive bill covering the whole period and be forced to pay within the stipulated ridiculously short period of time.
I have, in the meantime, communicated with Arms Ltd a number of times. I have given Arms Ltd my meter readings on at least two occasions, and the meter reader visited my residence at least twice.
What has happened to the smart dream? Why haven’t I got a proper bill yet? I find this state of affairs utterly deplorable. When are those responsible going to be held accountable for this sham?