Faulty wind energy meters
We sell wind energy back to EDF, but we think the readings are wrong
We installed a wind turbine to provide free electricity and to sell the surplus back to the national grid. A meter was fitted by (EDF subsidiary) ERDF and we started selling in August 2007. The billing period was set at November 1 to October 31 and we invoiced them €137.34 for the first 16 months after a meter reading of 1,733 kWh.
However, the reading for the second year was only 307 kWh, which meant we could only invoice €24.65 and were out of pocket after paying for meter rental.
It is lower again this year. We told ERDF the meter must have malfunctioned, but it said that was very rare. The turbine suppliers have found no fault with our equipment. T.W.
A spokeswoman for the national energy mediator said you can ask ERDF to come out to run checks, but would have to pay for the call-out.
On the other hand, she said they ought to do annual checks anyway and, if they have not done any, they are at fault.
She said you should complain in writing to ERDF and, if you do not get satisfaction, you should make a written complaint to the Médiateur de la République, who will investigate, initially by seeking an explanation from ERDF for the low meter readings in the past two years.
You can do this online at www.mediateur-republique.fr (see Saisir le médiateur) or by letter to Le Médiateur de la République, 7 rue Saint-Florentin, 75 008 Paris.
