Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN), the electricity distribution network operator for the north of Scotland and central southern England, reviewed and updated its Data Privacy Plan in May 2023. The plan covers changes to how the company collects, holds and aggregates smart meter consumption data, and how it publishes that data1.
The plan was approved by Ofgem, the industry regulator, and allows SSEN to access half-hourly electricity consumption data in an aggregated format. SSEN states it will typically collect and aggregate half-hourly consumption data on a regular basis for sections of its low voltage network, and that it will not store individual customers' half-hourly consumption data1. The company says it will only access and use smart meter data to fulfil its regulatory duties and to deliver network improvements, including avoided costs of network investment on the low voltage network, reduced network reinforcement, better visibility of network load profiles, and quicker response to power failures1.
"We have reviewed and updated our Data Privacy Plan in May 2023 to incorporate changes to how we collect, hold and aggregate smart meter consumption data"
SSEN says the number of smart meters installed on its network is currently relatively low, so the benefits available will increase over time as suppliers increase the pace of installations1. The company also says smart meters can send it automatic alerts when there is a power cut or problems with the voltage, which it says will allow its teams to respond and resolve issues more quickly1.
Separately, SSEN states that the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) will end by June 2025 as it reaches the end of its operational life. The switch-off will affect customers with an RTS meter in their home and may mean their heating and hot water supply stops functioning as normal1. The UK Government wants energy suppliers to offer a smart meter to every home in England, Wales and Scotland by mid-2025, with more than 26 million homes for suppliers to reach1. Energy suppliers are responsible for supplying and fitting smart meters, including maintaining the meter and ongoing billing1.
Why it matters for households
The plan concerns what a network operator, rather than a supplier, does with consumption data. SSEN's stated position is that it aggregates half-hourly readings across sections of its low voltage network and does not store individual customers' half-hourly consumption data1. For a household, that is the distinction between data used to see how a stretch of network is behaving and data that identifies a single property's pattern of use. The Smart Meter Data: What Is Collected and Who Can See It guide sets out the wider data chain, and the Consumer Consent Solution for Smart Meter Data covers consent for access to a household's own readings.
The network benefits SSEN lists, such as faster identification of power cuts and voltage problems, are the operational side of the same data. SSEN says smart meters can send automatic alerts when supply is interrupted or voltage problems occur1. For a home, quicker fault identification and restoration is the practical consequence, and it does not depend on the household taking any action. The Smart Meters, Monitoring and Energy Independence guide covers how monitoring relates to a home's control over its own supply.
The RTS date is the part of the page with a direct effect on homes that still have such a meter. SSEN states the switch-off may mean heating and hot water stops functioning as normal for affected customers1. No further detail on the number of affected households, or on the replacement process, is given on the page.
What happens next
SSEN gives no dated steps for the Data Privacy Plan beyond the May 2023 update. The only dated milestone stated is the end of the Radio Teleswitch Service by June 20251. The UK Government target for suppliers to offer a smart meter to every home in England, Wales and Scotland is mid-20251.
Sources1 cited
- Smart Meters - SSEN, ssen.co.uk