So-called "smart metres" could soon be rolled-out across Australia, measuring our electricity use.

It's part of a plan to charge power at a higher-rate, adding an extra $170 to the average power bills

Energy companies may also be able to remotely control air-conditioning units during periods of high-demand

The opposition's Greg Hunt says it will just hurt struggling households.

"It's the outer suburbs that will pay the price of green schemes through higher electricity prices. They've been hit with the carbon tax they're about to get a double whammy with this latest scheme, charging families more to cook their dinner when they want to cook dinner."

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