Grid operators don’t need to offer conventional meters, EU judges rule
By Júlia Tar ( November 5, 2026, 10:18 GMT | Insight) -- Electricity grid operators aren’t required under EU law to offer conventional meters to customers who refuse smart meters, the EU Court of Justice ruled on Thursday in a case involving Netz Niederösterreich. Consent requirements under the ePrivacy Directive don’t apply to the electricity-network arrangement in this case, although data protection and security obligations remain, judges said. The case now returns to the Austrian court, which will apply the EU court’s interpretation to resolve the dispute.Electricity grid operators aren’t required under EU law to let customers refuse smart meters and receive conventional meters instead, the EU’s highest court ruled on Thursday in a case involving Netz Niederösterreich....
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