British Gas has announced it expects the roll-out of smart meters across Britain to create 2,600 new energy jobs by 2012.

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The announcement followed a statement from the Government finalising plans for all 26 million homes in the UK to have smart meters by 2020.

Energy suppliers will be responsible for installing smart meters in customers' homes and it is hoped the multibillion-pound programme will allow people to monitor and reduce their energy use as well as subsequent carbon emissions.

British Gas claims the skilled jobs to be created by the roll-out of smart meters will include 2,100 smart energy experts working "in the field", 400 supporting team members and 100 managerial staff.

The government has also put forward the case for developing smart grids in the UK.

Last month, Ofgem proposed funding arrangements of up to £1 billion from now until 2011 for electricity transmission grid projects which it sees as vital to Britain's bid to combat climate change.