RWE npower selects LogicaCMG for Smart Prepayment Metering Trial-1

LogicaCMG, one of Europe’s leading IT and business services companies, today announced its involvement in a six month pilot programme with RWE npower to operate a central prepayment energy service.  The company’s Instant Energy smart metering service is currently allowing prepayment customers involved in the trial to manage their energy usage on a ‘Pay As You Go’ 24/7 basis. LogicaCMG is already market leader in the smart metering field.

The Instant Energy service facilitates real time communication with customers’ meters using SMS messaging. It enables customers to top up their credit, using the same technology as pay-as-you-go mobile phones, ensuring that the consumer is in control and fully aware of how much credit is on their meter.

There are huge business and customer benefits to be reaped from the Instant Energy Service. Customer benefits include:
· better service, as energy can now be bought in a shop, online, via text message 
· greater visibility of usage
· tariff changes can be made automatically ensuring that the customer pays the correct price and does not get into debt unexpectedly

Business benefits include:
· improved customer proposition
· improved operational effectiveness
· greater capability to trial new offerings outside Business As Usual systems and processes

Jane Franklin, commercial metering manager, RWE npower commented:
“The advantages of smart metering have been recognised by the government and this is a clear step towards smart metering becoming a reality. This trial is the perfect opportunity to test new offerings to our customers with our partners LogicaCMG and Onstream, both of whom have an excellent and proven reputation in the field of smart metering. The success of this trial is key for us, given the importance of smart metering in the Government’s energy strategy.”

Rich Hampshire, principal consultant, energy and utilities, LogicaCMG UK commented:
“We are very excited to be working with RWE npower, who is clearly committed to ensuring the best service and competitive price for its customers. LogicaCMG has worked with the majority of major UK energy and utility companies to ensure that the solution delivers a step change to the experience of this customer group and exceed the suppliers' expectations of future services. Energy companies are now able to realise the operational benefits of smart metering technology and the debate has now shifted from the reasons for the deployment of smart meters to the speed of their rollout.”

About RWE npower
RWE npower is the UK's largest electricity supplier. It generates electricity and supplies gas, electricity and related services to around 6.8 million customers through its retail business npower. The company operates and manages a flexible portfolio of power stations, and is a market leader in renewable energy development through its wind and hydro business npower renewables.

About LogicaCMG
LogicaCMG is a major international force in IT and business services. It employs around 40,000 people across 41 countries. LogicaCMG’s focus is on enabling its customers to build and maintain leadership positions using LogicaCMG’s deep industry knowledge and its track record for successful delivery. The company provides business consulting, systems integration and IT and business process outsourcing across diverse markets including telecoms and media, financial services, energy and utilities, industry, distribution and transport and the public sector. Headquartered in Europe, LogicaCMG is listed on both the London Stock Exchange and Euronext (Amsterdam) (LSE:LOG; Euronext:LOG) and traded on the Xternal List of the Nordic Exchange in Stockholm. More information is available at www.logica.com

Press contacts
Nadia Boodram, LogicaCMG, 020 7446 5391, nadia.boodram@logica.com
Yvonne Maher, Trimedia Harrison Cowley, 020 7400 5595, yvonne.maher@trimediahc.com