With the introduction of digital electricity meters, we are actively shaping the future of energy. The switch to smart meters is an important step towards greater efficiency, transparency and sustainability – in line with the UK government's Energy Strategy 2050.
Information
In Switzerland, consumption measurement is being digitised step by step. By the end of 2026, 80 per cent of the existing electricity meters in our network areas are expected to be replaced by digital smart meters at no cost to customers. In doing so, we are implementing the requirements of the Electricity Supply Ordinance (StromVV) and contributing to the implementation of the Swiss Confederation's Energy Strategy 2050.
The advantages of a smart meter
Transparency
The smart meter not only measures how much electricity is consumed, but also when it was consumed. We provide you with this data via the myPrimeo customer portal or via the customer interface. This allows you to see, for example, at what time of day electricity consumption is particularly high. This helps you identify energy guzzlers. The smart meter also measures the output of electricity generators such as photovoltaic systems. If you want to consume your own solar power or share it with your neighbours (ZEV, LEG), the smart meter can help you optimise your own consumption and your electricity billing.
Remote reading
The smart meter is read daily/monthly by our system. Our meter readers no longer ring your doorbell and you no longer have to be at home to read your electricity meter. This saves costs in the long term.
Efficiency
Thanks to the accurate recording of electricity consumption with the smart meter, Primeo Energie can, for example, offer dynamic tariffs to create incentives to shift electricity consumption to times when there is a surplus of electricity. In the long term, this makes the entire electricity system more efficient, which also benefits your electricity bill.
When will the smart electricity meter be installed in your home?
The overview shows you how the expansion is progressing and when the rollout will be completed in your municipality. We will notify you of the exact date for the replacement of your electricity meter by post in good time. As a rule, your presence is not required. It may be necessary to interrupt the power supply for approximately 30 minutes in order to replace the meter – this is for the safety of our installation technicians.
Information on data protection
When using smart electricity meters, we comply with the data protection provisions set out in Art. 8d para. 2 of the Electricity Supply Ordinance (StromVV). All components of a smart meter system – both hardware and software – must meet high data security requirements. Compliance with these standards is checked by the Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS) and confirmed by certification.
Disclosure of data
According to Art. 8d para. 2 StromVV, the disclosure of smart meter data to third parties without the consent of the persons concerned is only permitted if it is pseudonymised or in aggregated form and is transmitted to specific authorised bodies. The permissible uses are specified in Art. 8 para. 3 StromVV. If there is no such use, data may only be disclosed with the consent of the customers.
Pseudonymisation is a process in which personal data is processed in such a way that it can no longer be directly attributed to a specific person without additional information. Since the personal reference is retained in principle, pseudonymised data continues to be considered personal data and is subject to data protection law.
Frequently asked questions
A smart meter is a digital electricity meter that accurately measures energy consumption and sends the data to the network operator on a daily/monthly basis via a secure connection. It replaces conventional mechanical and electronic meters and is part of the digital energy transition in Switzerland.
A smart meter measures electricity consumption at short intervals (every 15 minutes) and automatically transmits the data to Primeo Energie. Communication takes place via the power cable using powerline technology.
All Swiss energy suppliers are legally obliged to replace at least 80 per cent of conventional electricity meters with smart metering systems by 2027. This is based on the Electricity Supply Act (StromVG) 734.1 Art. 17a and the Electricity Supply Ordinance (StromVV) 734.71 Art. 8a para. 1, which were adopted by the Swiss people on 21 May 2017 as part of the Energy Strategy 2050.
- Transparency: The smart meter not only measures how much electricity has been consumed, but also when it was consumed. We provide you with this data via the myPrimeo customer portal or the customer interface. This allows you to see, for example, at what times electricity consumption is particularly high. This helps you identify energy guzzlers. The smart meter also measures the output of electricity generators such as photovoltaic systems. If you want to consume your own solar power or share it with your neighbours (ZEV, LEG), the smart meter can help you optimise your own consumption and your electricity billing.
- Remote reading: The smart meter is read daily/monthly by our system. Our meter readers no longer ring your doorbell and you no longer have to be at home to read your electricity meter. This saves costs in the long term.
- Efficiency: Thanks to the more accurate recording of electricity consumption with the smart meter, Primeo Energie can, for example, offer dynamic tariffs to create incentives to shift electricity consumption to times when there is a surplus of electricity. In the long term, this makes the entire electricity system more efficient, which also benefits your electricity bill.
The consumption data is displayed in the myPrimeo customer portal. Our latest-generation smart meters also feature a customer interface that allows consumption data to be read in real time on site. A smart meter adapter with the corresponding app is required to display the data. Alternatively, the data can be made available to an energy management system (EMS) for intelligent control of consumers. The customer interface supports the DSMR-P1 standard and is therefore compatible with all DSMR-P1 products. An internet connection (LAN/WLAN) at the location of the electricity meter is required for real-time electricity consumption transmission.
Further information can be found in the VSE industry recommendation for customer interfaces. One example of a compatible smart meter adapter is the following from whatwatt.
In order to use the customer interface, your electricity meter may need to be replaced with a latest-generation smart meter. This replacement is free of charge for you. If you already have a smart meter with a customer interface, it must first be activated.
Please contact us by email at service@primeo-energie.ch to gain access to the customer interface on your smart meter.
Replacing your existing meter with a smart meter will not incur any additional costs for you. As before, the costs for the metering infrastructure will be covered by us, your distribution network operator, in the network usage fees and metering tariffs.
For customers without a smart meter, Primeo Energie incurs additional costs, which are billed to the customer individually (StromVV 734.71 Art. 8a Para. 7).
Please contact us by email at service@primeo-energie.ch if you do not wish to have a smart meter installed.
The transmission takes place with end-to-end encryption (high level security) via Primeo Energie's power lines using powerline technology. The smart meters currently used by Primeo Energie do not have a radio connection. The data from the previous day is transmitted once a day, or the meter readings are transmitted once a month.
The electricity meter and other installations required for transmitting consumption data belong to Primeo Energie as the distribution network operator. The consumption data belongs to the customers. As the electricity network operator, we are permitted to use the data for purposes such as correct billing or ensuring network stability.
Primeo Energie is responsible for the smart meter rollout in its network area. We commission external service providers to carry out the implementation. The employees of the external service providers can identify themselves at any time with a Primeo Energie ID card. If you are unsure, please contact us by email at service@primeo-energie.ch or by telephone on +41 61 415 41 50.
You will usually be notified by letter one to two weeks before the meter is replaced. The letter will indicate whether your presence is required. It is also possible to make an appointment for the meter to be replaced. To do this, you must scan the QR code on the letter.
The meter replacement is carried out by a meter installer and usually takes less than 30 minutes. During this time, there may be a power interruption. The meter replacement is recorded on a tablet and transmitted to our back office. Once the order has been processed by the back office, the consumption data can be viewed in the customer portal.
Once the smart meter is installed and transmits readings, billing is based on measured electricity consumption. Instead of three advance payments and one regular bill, customers then receive four bills based on their actual electricity consumption.
The smart meter transmits the meter readings (register values) once a month or the 15-minute load profile values from the previous day once a day. On-site readings by a Primeo Energie meter reader or self-readings and declarations via card or customer portal are no longer necessary.
