Federal and State Privacy Commissioners in Germany demand that the introduction of smart meteriniStock_globe.jpgg systems shall be accompanied with adequate provisions for the protection of personal data. The introduction of smart metering systems controlling energy consumption is being pursued vigorously both at a European and a German level with the goal to improve energy efficiency. The Privacy Commissioners say that data privacy should be taken into account properly already during the research and development processes for the new technology. The question how new privacy rules for smart meters can be passed and implemented given the time pressure for the introduction of such systems is not answered by Privacy Commissioners. Thus, the demand for new data privacy rules constitutes a further reason why energy companies are increasingly hesitant to develop and introduce the smart metering technology.