Can confirm the first part - had the utility turn on a meter remotely, so they can turn it off too. Also, around here (Portugal) you're billed for the maximum

Can confirm the first part - had the utility turn on a meter remotely, so they can turn it off too. Also, around here (Portugal) you're billed for the maximum power in your contract - it starts at 3.45 kVA, I think, with 6.9 and 10.35 levels commonly available (at 230 volts, that's 15, 30 or 45 amps). Used to be that a hardware circuit breaker enforced that limit, nowadays it's the meter cutting off supply in case of excess power draw. (No reports of fires that I've heard of.)