Smart Meter Market: Frost & Sullivan Forecasts 109% Growth in the UK

Huge increase for the unit shipments from 2010 to 2017 - The three hotspots in Europe are the UK, France and Spain

Many European states are investing in smart metering in the drive to meet EU's energy targets to be achieved by 2020. The third energy directive is driving member states for 80 percent smart meter penetration by that date. However, according to Frost & Sullivan, region-wise disparity exists due to the different regulatory challenges faced by each country, thus having a direct impact on implementation.


But what's the current situation in Europe? Frost & Sullivan forecasts 26% growth in Europe with the UK holding the highest growth potential amongst all the European countries. The British Government has in fact announced plans to install 53 million electricity and gas smart meters in homes and businesses by 2019, while the French energy regulator CRE (Commission de régulation de l'énergie) has set out guidelines with an objective for mandatory implementation requiring all electricity consumers to have smart meters by 2016. On the other hand, no mandatory roll out has been planned in Germany.

Furthermore, Sweden attained 100% smart meter penetration in 2010 while Italy's deployment is almost complete with 33.5 million smart meters installed till 2010. The three hotspots in Europe will certainly be France, UK and Spain that are expected to witness high level of growth in smart meter installations in the next 2-3 years.

Frost & Sullivan Research Associate Neha Vikash states: ‘'With the UK Government publishing its plans for a mass rollout in 2014, the UK smart metering market holds the highest growth potential amongst all the European countries. According to our research, the UK is expected to witness a 109% growth in smart electricity meter unit shipments from 2010 to 2017.''

Competition is high in the European smart meter market and is expected to increase along with new players entering the market. Chinese and other Asian companies are expected to enter the market in the short to medium term. Echelon and Landis & Gyr are the tier 1 players holding nearly 90% of the market share in 2010.

Smart Meter operation depends on the network architecture and protocols. Lack of standardization in communication protocols leads to problems of interoperability.

Ms Vikash explains: "Manufacturers, utilities, network companies, ICT firms, retailers and remote monitoring and automation companies await standardisation in communication protocols. The standardisation is expected to come into effect by 2012, following which the industry is expected to grow rapidly. The scenario in Europe is that some countries are bordering on completion (e.g. Denmark and Finland), while some are slow to realize nationwide meter deployment. Some countries have no mandatory regulations. The contrast in the level of smart meter deployment between various European states begs the question as to who should be responsible for smart meter penetration: the government or the industry".

Frost & Sullivan has recently organised an on-demand web conference titled The Smart Meter Run – Europe Gears Up to Meet the Roll Out Deadline. The webinar summarises Ms Vikash market findings by giving an analysis of market forces, country wise status of smart meter roll out, tier and market share analysis, markets' current and future trends.

This briefing will benefit smart meter manufacturers, utilities, suppliers, network companies, ICT firms and remote monitoring and automation firms by discussing emerging trends and providing forward projections for the Smart Meter Industry in Europe.

To receive the presentation and a link to the recording please email Chiara Carella, Corporate Communications, at chiara.carella@frost.com with your full contact details.

Moreover, a research service on European Smart Meter Markets will be published soon. Please contact Chiara Carella at the email address above for further information on this.

About Frost & Sullivan
Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, enables clients to accelerate growth and achieve best-in-class positions in growth, innovation and leadership. The company's Growth Partnership Service provides the CEO and the CEO's Growth Team with disciplined research and best-practice models to drive the generation, evaluation, and implementation of powerful growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan leverages 50 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 40 offices on six continents. To join our Growth Partnership, please visit http://www.frost.com.

Contact:

Chiara Carella
Head of Corporate Communications – Europe, Israel, Africa
Frost & Sullivan
t) 0044 (0) 207 3438314
m) 0044 (0) 7533017689
e) chiara.carella@frost.com

http://frost.com





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