The Electricity Authority (EAC) will modify smart meter installation procedures following damage to household electrical appliances, with officials identifying outdated circuit breakers in properties as the primary cause.
House Energy Committee members discussed the smart meter rollout progress on Tuesday, with project manager Sofoclis Kaminarides confirming the meters themselves are safe but problematic circuit breakers in residential properties create installation risks.
“Since we identified that the problem is the circuit breaker, we will change our procedure so that we do not manipulate the automatic circuit breaker,” Kaminarides told the committee.
EAC representatives acknowledged thousands of problematic circuit breakers exist in consumer properties, with one official describing the issue as worse than the TAKATA airbag scandal. The authority will implement enhanced safety measures for installation staff to avoid circuit breaker manipulation during meter placement.
EAC General Director Adonis Giasemidis announced revised compensation procedures for affected households. Damaged appliances will be catalogued immediately upon identification, with consumers directed to suppliers for replacement whilst EAC covers costs directly through supplier invoicing.
“From the moment issues arise with devices, all problematic devices will be recorded immediately, instructions will be given after investigation that the damage occurred due to the replacement, and citizens will be instructed to proceed with ordering corresponding devices to those they had and send the invoice to EAC to cover expenses,” Giasemides stated.
The authority plans to focus on single-phase meter installations over the coming weeks, which pose minimal risks. Officials will consult with electromechanical services to modify methodology within two weeks.
EAC aims to complete 400,000 smart meter installations by January 2027, with European requirements mandating 250,000 installations by June 2026.
Electricians’ Association President Giorgos Kyriakou criticised installation procedures, noting inadequate inspection protocols. DISY MP Kyriakos Hadjigiannis compared EAC behaviour to the TAKATA scandal, whilst AKEL MP Kostas Kosta characterised the problem as significant.
The committee recorded 47 incidents involving smart meter problems, according to DIPA MP Michalis Yiacoumi.
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