In the case of Ipar Euskal Herria, the installation of Linky meters is not as simple as was thought, according to Enedis. Because knowing what's kept behind this counter, he's increasingly rejecting it. “Linky is the Trojan Horse that will allow big changes,” said José Lavictoire, a member of the environmental association CADE.

Relying on the official explanation, this accountant, added to the term “intelligent”, will bring simplicity to the citizen, as he will know exactly what electricity consumption he has at all times. In this regard, Enedis is replacing the electricity meters of all households in Lapurdi, Baja Navarra and Zuberoa. Tarrapataka, by 2021, Ipar Euskal Herria and the entire French state, as last year he achieved a contract for the installation of 35 million Linky smart meters.

When explaining that there is no election, on 13 July 2009 the representatives of Enedis are based on a directive voted by the European Parliament. This law obliges consumers to participate in the electricity supply market. However, a detail that current accountants can fulfil this obligation in the same way is kept secret.

However, Linky is more than simple. “People don’t know, because Enedis doesn’t report. But if you know, the citizen stands against it,” according to Lavictoi. By sending a letter to Enedis to express their rejection as the owner of a home or by voting by the local council of a municipal decision against Linky, the technicians face difficulties along the way.

Completing Big Data

Lack of respect for private life is one of the reasons for those who oppose it. In fact, without a pause, the Linky accountant collects millions of data about each individual's consumption. That is, 35 million meters will feed the massive Big Data database. Basically, as Lavictoire warns, this is Linky’s main obligation: “At all times they will know how much electricity we consume and what we consume it for.”

The time when electricity supply was rimming with public service has been lost in the past. When explaining Linky, the CADE member says that this accuracy is of great importance. In particular, in 2007 the electricity market opened up to competition and the French public structure EDF created the public limited company ERDF to manage the distribution of electricity. This company, which has changed its name since last year, is now called Enedis. To be competitive in the global free market, companies need as detailed information as possible on consumption.

“This data is very interesting for the industry, they will want to buy it and sell it, trampling over respect for our private life,” says Maite Etxeberria, Mayor of Ozaz. Among those who voted a municipal decision against the installation of Linky meters is the village of Zubero. Ironically, it says: “That accountant they call smart will be wise because it will be aware of all our personal data...”

In addition, at times when consumption is weak, electricity can be reduced or cut back, the amount of electricity needed to sell it on the market can be recovered.

Concerns about waves

These meters emit the consumption details from a house to a central computer by electromagnetic waves. The harmfulness of these waves is another reason why it rejects Linky. In fact, so far no one has proven that these waves are not harmful to health. On the contrary, the World Health Organization classifies them as “cancer generators”.

To clear up the doubts, Criirem, the research centre on electromagnetic radiation at French level, is asking for an independent investigation. The same request is extended to municipalities that oppose it.

Enedis moves above rejection

In case of rejection or doubt by the resident, technicians usually use hard means: intimidation, fear, threats or pressure. There are also few who have found the modified counter without the permission of their absence. Basically, there are several dozen people who have filed a complaint against Enedis for these facts. The Baiona Council voted on 19 July last a moratorium on the installation of Linky, claiming that this imposition is unacceptable. The mayor, Jean-René Etxegarai, asks Enedis to respect the right not to install the new accountant.

Baiona is not the only people who have opposed the reform of the law. These include Ozaze, Hauze and Iruri, who were cited on 15 September at the Pau Administrative Tribunal (TSJPV). The judge has annulled the denials of the municipalities on the grounds that the property of the accountants is not in the hands of the people. “Who owns the accountants? That was the question. But even if it is not the owner, if something happens the house of the people will be responsible. We are worried,” says Maite Etxeberria. The mayor of Ozaz states that public structures have an obligation to act responsibly, knowing the changes Linky brings.

The Energy Union of the Atlantic Pyrenees is the head of the accountants. The union has asked the company Enedis to respect the rejection of tenants, even though it has not opposed Linky.

The opponents of Linky will face the representatives of the Single Commonwealth of Iparralde in the coming weeks. Lavictoire says that, in addition to the concerns listed, it is the future of the public service on the table. “Public service is at stake. Like Linky for electricity, there is Aquarium for water and Gazpar for gas. The Public College must be aware of what these changes entail.”