Council expresses concern over Electric Meter Switch

17th January 2009

The Highland Council has written to Scottish Hydro Electric to express its concerns that they are ceasing selling tokens for electricity meters before completing the switchover to new key meters in some parts of the Highlands.

The Council has been notified by a concerned subpostmaster that he has been instructed to cease selling tokens for Scottish Hydro Electric meters as of tomorrow (Saturday 17th January).

Scottish Hydro Electric have confirmed that this is the case and is part of the process in changing all customers from token meters to key meters.

However, the Council is aware that in one area of Sutherland not all customers have been transferred to the new key meter. There is significant concern that this issue will be replicated across other areas of Highland and other individuals may be affected by this.

Scottish Hydro have stated that it is their priority to transfer people to the new meters as soon as possible. Customers have been advised to phone a helpline number - 08009800414 - to arrange to have their meter transferred. Scottish Hydro have indicated that no customer would be left without electricity in the changeover process.

The Highland Council Convener Councillor Sandy Park said: "The Council would urge customers who have not yet had their meter transferred to ring Scottish Hydro and do so as soon as possible. We are naturally concerned about the approach taken by Scottish Hydro ceasing the selling of tokens before everyone has been transferred to the new meter system. I will be writing to the Chief Executive of Scottish Hydro Electric today expressing my concern about this approach. We will also be approaching the Energy Regulator."

The emergency Scottish Hydro number of customers to contact is 0800 980 0414.