Installation of Linky meters: consequences for consumers

The financial framework

The system chosen for the deployment of the Linky counter makes it possible to smooth the financial impact for the consumer. Indeed, the financial framework set up by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CRE), in accordance with its tasks defined by law, provides for the implementation of a smoothing regulated account allowing the operator to advance the costs of deployment which will then be reimbursed to him from 2021 onwards by the savings made using the new meters.

Health security

Two campaigns to measure the exposure of the public to the electromagnetic waves of the Linky communicating meters were carried out by the National Frequency Agency (ANFR) and the National Institute of the Industrial Environment and Risks (INERIS), in the laboratory and in the field. The waves emitted by the Linky system have proved to be lower than the ceilings provided for by the health standards defined at European and French level (they are of the same order of magnitude as the waves emitted by a television and lower than those generated by cooking plates).

The ANFR allows any citizen to do for free to measure its exposure associated with fixed communicating objects such as the Linky counter.

The power of the meter

The switching power is henceforth calibrated according to the power contractually contracted. Thus, there is no longer any difference between the power of the circuit breaker and the subscribed power in order to prevent the system from breaking.

Data protection

According to the recommendations of the National Commission for Informatics and Freedoms (CNIL) and the National Agency for the Security of Information Systems (ANSSI) and in compliance with the Energy Code, regulatory measures have been taken to ensure the security and confidentiality of data collected from Linky meters. These measures shall provide in particular that their communication may not take place without the prior authorization of the user.

The installation of the meter

The system operator shall replace the meter in accordance with, inter alia, property rights (where the meter is not located in public space or in an accessible place), and the customer shall allow access to the meter in order for the installation to take place.

The customer who refuses to install a communicating meter will not be able to benefit from the tariff advantages of this device and from the services currently free of charge (such as meter readings by agents) which will then be invoiced to him, in accordance with the catalog of services validated by the CRE.