Citizens Advice Response to DESNZ's Call for Evidence on Developing an energy smart data scheme
Citizens Advice welcomes DESNZ's call for evidence on developing an energy smart data scheme. The energy market is growing more complex, with both consumer and industry data playing a far greater role than ever before. The arrival of smart meters means that consumers are generating more data about their specific energy use and how they live their lives. This data has significant value - as we have seen from growing pushes to access it not just from energy suppliers but industries outside of energy ranging from financial services, internet service providers and insurance companies for their own research and insight into consumer behaviours.
Energy data should be opened up but consumers should remain in control, if not then trust will rapidly decline along with engagement and wider goals for fair markets and net zero will not be achieved.