A Positive Attitude Toward the Digitalization of the Energy Transition

July 3, 2026

Source: E & M powernews

A Bitkom survey shows strong support for smart meters and flexible electricity rates. At the same time, concerns are growing about attacks on critical energy infrastructure.

More than two-thirds of households in Germany view the power grid as vulnerable to sabotage or cyberattacks. At the same time, they support accelerating the energy transition, and the majority are open to the digitization of the power system through smart metering systems and dynamic rates. These findings come from a representative survey conducted by the digital industry association Bitkom among 1,002 households.

For example, 74 percent of respondents consider the power grid vulnerable to sabotage or targeted physical attacks, such as those on power lines or substations. 71 percent see a vulnerability to cyberattacks. At the same time, 93 percent support giving security the same priority as climate protection and energy costs during the transformation of the energy system.

Concerns about supply disruptions are also widespread. Nearly half (46 percent) of households fear a power outage lasting several hours in their area in the future, while 49 percent consider this risk to be low. Only 26 percent believe Germany is well prepared for prolonged power outages. In contrast, nearly one in two households (47 percent) considers itself sufficiently prepared. According to their own reports, 17 percent of respondents have experienced a power outage lasting at least five minutes in the past twelve months.

Desire for Independence from Oil and Gas

Despite these assessments, most households would like to see the energy transition accelerate. 72 percent consider the progress made so far to be too slow. At the same time, 92 percent believe that the energy crisis resulting from Russia’s attack on Ukraine has shown how important it is to achieve independence from oil and gas more quickly. However, only 15 percent are satisfied with the federal government’s energy policy.

From the association’s perspective, expanding renewable energy generation alone is not enough. Bitkom CEO Bernhard Rohleder points out that approval processes, grid connections, and metering, control, and grid operations must be further digitized in order to reliably operate an increasingly decentralized energy system.

The survey also reveals a strong desire for greater transparency regarding energy consumption. Ninety percent would welcome the ability to track their current electricity consumption as easily as they track a vehicle’s fuel consumption. Fifty-eight percent would like information on which household appliances consume particularly large amounts of electricity. Two-thirds of respondents are also interested in the climate impact of their energy consumption.

A majority is generally open to smart metering systems. Eight percent say they already use a smart meter. Another 30 percent can “definitely” imagine using one, and 31 percent “somewhat” can imagine it. At the same time, there is a lack of information: Among households without a smart metering system, 77 percent feel they are not sufficiently informed. One in two households would generally like to have a smart meter, while 48 percent express concerns about data protection.

Dynamic electricity rates are also generating interest. Two percent of respondents already use such a rate plan. Another 68 percent can generally imagine using one. Ninety percent would be willing to adjust their electricity consumption to variable electricity prices if this would save them money. Eighty-five percent would have devices such as heat pumps, wall boxes, or household appliances run automatically during periods of low electricity prices. Overall, 89 percent of households view digitalization as an opportunity for the energy transition; only seven percent see it primarily as a risk.

Against this backdrop, Bitkom is calling for, among other things, an accelerated rollout of smart meters, reliable framework conditions in the Metering Point Operations Act, and greater digitization and standardization of grid connection processes. In addition, the association advocates for broader use of data analytics and AI in the electricity distribution grid, as well as further expansion of the control infrastructure.

Fritz Wilhelm