Smart Meters news from 2023
59 stories, newest first
- December 2023
Around 29 million smart meters fitted in UK homes
A consumer guide reports that around 29 million smart meters had been fitted to UK homes by the end of 2023, about 54 per cent of all homes.
Deadline for suppliers to enrol or replace first-generation smart meters
Energy suppliers must enrol first-generation smart meters onto the national communications network, or replace them with second-generation meters, by the end of 2023.
- November 2023
BEAMA publishes briefing on delivering smart meters
BEAMA has published a briefing on delivering smart meters, setting out recommendations for government and suppliers on the rollout, flexible pricing and consumer trust.
Good Energy launches Power Pause demand flexibility scheme
Good Energy has joined National Grid's Demand Flexibility Service for winter 2023, inviting eligible smart meter customers to register for its Power Pause scheme and earn bill credit for cutting peak-time electricity use.
Ofgem prepayment installation rules become licence conditions
Ofgem's Code of Practice on involuntary prepayment meter installation became a mandatory supply licence condition on 8 November 2023, extending protections to more households and covering remote smart meter switches.
Coalition writes to Secretary of State urging leadership on prepayment meters scandal
The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has written to Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho urging a legislative ban on forced prepayment meters, an extension of Ofgem's ban to April 2024 and heightened monitoring of Scottish Power.
Forced prepayment meter moratorium lifted for compliant suppliers
The moratorium on forced prepayment meter installations, introduced in February 2023, was lifted from November 2023 for suppliers that met Ofgem's restart criteria.
New prepayment meter rules extend protections for vulnerable people
Ofgem, Energy UK and the government set out new rules suppliers should follow from November 2023, adding checks before any involuntary prepayment meter installation.
ScottishPower launches Power Saver app with equiwatt
ScottishPower partnered with equiwatt to launch the Power Saver app in November 2023, an app that rewards households for shifting electricity use away from peak times.
Strengthened PPM rules come into force
Ofgem's strengthened rules on involuntary prepayment meter installations took effect in November 2023, with suppliers required to pass independent audits before restarting activity in January 2024.
- October 2023
Octopus Energy launches Octoplus rewards scheme
Octopus Energy has launched Octoplus, a rewards scheme that lets eligible smart meter customers earn Octopoints through demand flexibility and account activity and redeem them for credit.
Public Accounts Committee publishes report on delayed smart meter rollout
The Public Accounts Committee has published a report finding the smart meter rollout has missed its targets, may benefit wealthier consumers more, and needs a strategy review.
Energy Systems Catapult publishes Data for Good, Smart Meter Data Access report
Energy Systems Catapult and the Data Communications Company have published a report calling for faster access to smart meter data, with four recommendations to change how that data is governed.
Ofgem decides to proceed with SLC 31G.3A requiring a range of contact methods
Ofgem has confirmed new licence conditions requiring energy suppliers to offer a range of contact methods, support customers in payment difficulty and publish their customer service ratings.
Scottish Power granted 124 forced entry warrants by Berkshire Magistrates Court
Scottish Power obtained 124 forced entry warrants from Berkshire Magistrates Court to install prepayment meters, with campaigners saying only 20 were examined in detail and asking a Commons committee to take urgent evidence.
Voluntary code of conduct on forced PPM installations due to come into force
A voluntary code of conduct governing the forced installation of prepayment meters is due to come into force on 1 October 2023, with campaigners saying it does not go far enough.
- August 2023
Consumer Scotland publishes response to Ofgem statutory consultation on involuntary prepayment meters
Consumer Scotland has told Ofgem it supports putting the involuntary prepayment meter code into supply licences and keeping over 85s in the do not install category, but wants under 5s moved there too.
- July 2023
Citizens Advice responds to Ofgem statutory consultation on involuntary prepayment meters
Citizens Advice has welcomed Ofgem's statutory consultation on involuntary prepayment meters and asked the regulator to widen the Do Not Install category to cover under-fives and some serious health conditions.
Alt HAN technology due to be rolled out from July 2023 subject to pilot outcome
Alt HAN technology, which extends the range of the smart meter home area network, is being piloted by some suppliers and is due to be rolled out from July 2023 subject to the pilot's outcome.
Government rejects Energy Bill amendments on forced PPM transfers
The Government has rejected backbench amendments to the Energy Bill that would have given it power to ban forced transfers of households onto prepayment meters, with further debate postponed to the autumn.
Northern Ireland announces plan for electricity smart meter implementation
Northern Ireland's Department for the Economy is developing a plan for electricity smart meters, with analysis recommending a six-year roll-out beginning in 2027.
Solution for meter-to-IHD signal distance issues to be deployed
The energy industry has developed a technical fix for smart meter signals that fail to reach in-home displays in flats and other properties where the meter sits far from the home, with deployment from July 2023.
New technology expected to extend smart meter eligibility to more than 99% of homes
Government expects a technical fix for hard-to-reach sites such as high-rise flats to lift smart meter coverage above 99% of homes from July 2023, subject to pilot results.
- June 2023
National Grid ESO to use HOMEflex Code of Conduct in Winter 23/24 Demand Flexibility Service
National Grid ESO will use the HOMEflex Code of Conduct in its Winter 23/24 Demand Flexibility Service, ahead of the schedule set for the domestic flexibility project.
Ofgem launches statutory consultation on involuntary prepayment meters
Ofgem has opened a statutory consultation to make prepayment meter protections mandatory in suppliers' licence conditions, and has proposed a £13 allowance in the prepayment price cap for bad debt recovery.
Hypervolt consumption reports fully released to all users
Hypervolt has completed the full rollout of its 4.3.0 app release, enabling consumption report generation for every user of its charge points.
Ofgem consults on integrating PPM Code of Practice into licence and guidance
Ofgem has opened a statutory consultation on plans to write its Involuntary Prepayment Meter Code of Practice into the supply licence, with a response deadline of 26 July 2023.
Ofgem consults on new SLC requirements for involuntary PPM installations
Ofgem has opened a statutory consultation on licence changes that would put its Involuntary Prepayment Meter Code of Practice into the supply licence, with responses due by 26 July 2023.
- May 2023
SSEN updates Data Privacy Plan
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks reviewed and updated its Data Privacy Plan in May 2023 to cover changes to how it collects, holds, aggregates and publishes smart meter consumption data.
- April 2023
All British domestic suppliers sign updated Code of Practice on involuntary prepayment meter installations
Ofgem has published an updated voluntary Code of Practice on involuntary prepayment meter installations, signed by all British domestic suppliers, with tougher oversight and new protections for high-risk households.
NEA warns many vulnerable groups still face uncertainty under new prepayment meter code
National Energy Action has welcomed Ofgem's new prepayment meter code of practice as much needed, but warns that many vulnerable groups still face the threat of forced installation or remote switching.
Voluntary Code of Conduct to prevent forced PPM installations announced
Energy suppliers signed a voluntary code of conduct on 18 April 2023 intended to stop the forced installation of prepayment meters, a measure campaigners say does not go far enough.
Ofgem publishes Involuntary PPM Code of Practice agreed with suppliers
Ofgem has published an Involuntary Prepayment Meter Code of Practice, agreed with suppliers, setting out when customers may be moved onto prepayment meters without consent and how they must be treated.
New rules require £30 starter credit on involuntary prepayment meter installations
From April 2023, suppliers installing a prepayment meter or switching a smart meter to prepay without consent must offer £30 credit or an equivalent non-disconnection period.
- March 2023
SSEN deploys smart meter data to identify network phases remotely
SSEN has developed an algorithm that reads voltage data from smart meters to work out which of three network phases each property is connected to, removing the need for site visits.
Ofgem extends forced prepayment meter installation ban
Ofgem's chief executive announced on 14 March that the ban on forced prepayment meter installations would run beyond the end of March, lifting only if firms follow a new code of practice.
Energy companies agree to stop force-fitting prepayment meters in vulnerable customers' homes
All UK energy suppliers have told the government they will stop force-fitting prepayment meters in vulnerable customers' homes, while magistrates have temporarily halted warrant approvals.
The Times reveals forced prepayment installations by British Gas subcontractor
The Times reported that a British Gas subcontractor used brutal methods to force-fit prepayment meters in vulnerable customers' homes, prompting suppliers to halt the practice.
- February 2023
Citizens Advice responds to Ofgem's outline of next steps on forced prepayment meter installations
Citizens Advice has welcomed Ofgem repeating its call for suppliers to check whether customers should be moved off prepayment meters, warning that the regulator and government must act if progress stalls.
Ofgem outlines next steps on forced prepayment meter installations
Ofgem has set out the terms of its British Gas investigation and the scope of a market-wide prepayment meter review, and asked suppliers to reverse incorrect installations during the current pause.
Which? survey finds 23% of smart meter owners had problems in the last year
A Which? survey of 9,417 smart meter owners found 23% had at least one problem in the past year, with suppliers failing to receive readings the most common complaint.
Citizens Advice responds to DESNZ announcement on forced prepayment meter installations
Citizens Advice has welcomed a government announcement on forced prepayment meter installations but says suppliers must review whether prepayment is safe and that protection should cover remote switching of smart meters.
Energy Security Secretary claims all suppliers committed to ending forced prepayment meter installations
Grant Shapps has claimed all energy suppliers have committed to ending forced prepayment meter installations in vulnerable customers' homes, a move the fuel poverty charity National Energy Action calls right but insufficient.
Fuel poverty charity calls for ban on forced prepayment meter installations
National Energy Action has called for a temporary ban on forced prepayment meter installations after reports that suppliers used warrants to enter customers' homes and fit the devices.
Ofgem announces industry-wide investigation into prepayment meter installations
Ofgem has opened an industry-wide investigation into the rapid growth in prepayment meter installations and warned suppliers that forced installations are unacceptable, following reports of debt agents entering homes.
Energy firms agree voluntary pause on forced PPM installations
Energy suppliers agreed a voluntary pause on forced prepayment meter installations in early 2023, after reporting on British Gas, but campaigners said the commitment did not go far enough.
Forced prepayment meter installations suspended
Forced prepayment meter installations have been suspended after an investigation into British Gas practices, with Consumer Scotland welcoming the pause as breathing space for new protections.
Ofgem agrees moratorium on involuntary PPM installations
Ofgem agreed a moratorium with suppliers in February 2023 pausing involuntary prepayment meter installations and remote smart meter mode switches, after evidence that existing rules may not have been followed.
Ofgem issues Provisional Order banning British Gas from forced PPM installations
Ofgem has issued a Provisional Order temporarily banning British Gas from forced prepayment meter installations and remote mode switches, and opened an urgent investigation into the supplier.
Suppliers agree to stop force-fitting prepayment meters without consent
Energy suppliers agreed in February 2023 to stop force-fitting prepayment meters and switching smart meters to prepayment mode without consent, a voluntary pause that later gave way to licence conditions.
Times investigation exposes forced prepayment meter practices of major suppliers including British Gas
An undercover Times investigation published on 1 February 2023 exposed forced prepayment meter practices at major suppliers including British Gas, triggering a voluntary industry pause and an ongoing Ofgem investigation.
- January 2023
Compensation window closes for forced prepayment meter installations
The window for compensation over forced prepayment meter installations closed on 31 January 2023, covering moves made between 1 January 2022 and that date.
Ofgem prepayment meter compliance review concluded
Ofgem has concluded its prepayment meter compliance review, with compensation due to customers of eight suppliers who had meters wrongly installed between 1 January 2022 and 31 January 2023.
SolarEdge Home Load Controller available now
SolarEdge has announced that its Home Load Controller is available now, a device that switches household appliances to match solar generation, battery storage and time of use tariffs.
First live DFS event held
The first live Demand Flexibility Service event on 23 January 2023 paid 400,000 households and businesses £3.37 per kilowatt hour for electricity demand they reduced.
Government demands energy firms stop forcing customers onto prepayment meters
Grant Shapps has written to energy suppliers demanding they stop moving customers onto prepayment meters against their will, as Ofgem reviews whether firms took enough care.
Ofgem to review supplier decisions to move customers to prepayment
Ofgem will review whether energy suppliers took enough care before moving customers onto prepayment meters, as the government demands firms stop forced switches.
Compensation window opens for forced prepayment installations
Ofgem has set out when households forced onto a prepayment meter between 1 January 2022 and 21 January 2023 can claim compensation, where their supplier did not follow the rules properly.
Ofgem introduced stringent new rules for prepayment meter installations
Ofgem brought in stringent new rules for prepayment meter installation in 2023, after suppliers failed to follow the rules on forced installation, a later government review confirms.