Yes I don’t really see what the worry is, Eddie.
There is no doubt that there will be an energy shortfall in the not too distant future. This is because successive governments have faffed about building windmills instead of constructing nuclear plants and keeping reliable coal-fired power stations going. But we are where we are and anything that enables that ridiculous situation to be properly managed can only be applauded.
As far as disconnecting for other reasons go, very few domestic customers are disconnected for arrears these days. The usual strategy is to install a pre-pay meter with the rate set to collect the arrears. As has been mentioned, energy companies do not need to seek authority to do this – they already have the powers. They need a warrant of entry from a Magistrate only if they need to force entry to make the change. The introduction of smart meters will not radically alter that.