Energy minister Charles Hendry has opened E.ON's new Smart Metering Centre of Excellence in Nottingham, which provides a contact point for customers with smart meters.
Smart meters will provide consumers with near real-time information, enabling them to monitor and manage their energy use and will also play an important role in the UK's transition to a low-carbon economy. DECC published it's plans for smart meters back in March.

Mr Hendry said: 'Smart meters will play a key part in our move to a low carbon economy. The Government is determined to drive the smart meters programme forward, and I am very encouraged by the commitment of companies like E.ON to ensuring its success. The rollout will be the largest changeover programme in the energy industry since the introduction of North Sea gas over 40 years ago, involving visits to all households across Great Britain.'

Earlier in the day Mr Hendry also attended a ceremony at Staythorpe Power Station in Nottinghamshire to mark the official inauguration of RWE nPower's 1,650MW gas-fired power station.