Smart Meters news from 2026
28 stories, newest first
- November 2026
British Gas resumes force-fitting prepayment meters after Ofgem lifts four-year block
Ofgem has lifted a block imposed in February 2023 that stopped British Gas seeking warrants to force-fit prepayment meters, months after the supplier paid a settlement of more than £100m over the scandal.
- October 2026
Ofgem opens call for input on prepayment meter protections
Ofgem has opened a call for input on the rules suppliers must follow when installing prepayment meters to recover debt without a customer's agreement, with responses due by 23 December 2026.
Ofgem opens consultation on moving home process guidance
Ofgem has opened a consultation on proposed guidance for domestic energy suppliers on supporting customers through home moves, including when a smart meter can be switched remotely to smart pay as you go mode.
- September 2026
Predbat v8.55.0 released with improved plan history view and PV clipping predictions
Predbat has released version 8.55.0, improving its plan history view and PV clipping predictions and extending the manual rate override horizon to seven days.
Predbat v9.0.0 released, moving GivTCP REST into its own component
Predbat has released version 9.0.0, refactoring GivTCP REST handling into a standalone component and adding Octopus Intelligent Go and inverter fixes for home battery control.
Predbat v8.54.3 released with a critical security fix for credential leakage
Predbat has published a security update that stops its home battery control software leaking credentials through apps.yaml downloads and debug dumps, alongside a set of smaller fixes.
MVP deployment planned for Autumn/Winter 2026
Ofgem has confirmed the Retail Energy Code Company as delivery body for the Consumer Consent Solution, with a minimum viable product planned for deployment in autumn or winter 2026.
- August 2026
Citizens Advice publishes smart metering consumer protection paper
Citizens Advice has published a paper recommending new Guaranteed Standards for smart meters and a tighter government definition of an "operating" meter in public reporting.
- July 2026
Energy Saving Trust publishes Flexible Futures report on smart tariffs and low carbon home technologies
Energy Saving Trust modelling of more than a million scenarios finds households can cut annual energy bills by up to £800 by pairing heat pumps, solar panels and battery storage with a smart tariff.
RTS meters being phased out in stages
The Energy Saving Trust says the Radio Teleswitch Service is being phased out in stages and that households with an RTS meter should contact their energy supplier to arrange a replacement.
- May 2026
Citizens Advice responds to conclusion of Ofgem British Gas prepayment meter investigation
Citizens Advice has responded to the conclusion of Ofgem's investigation into British Gas prepayment meter installations, saying the settlement shows forced installations have serious consequences and calling for real compensation.
Community Energy Scotland publishes guide to energy monitoring in the home
Community Energy Scotland has published a leaflet explaining home energy monitoring, released as part of its Rural Energy Hubs project, covering meters, displays, apps and smart plugs.
GivEnergy cloud premium access to become paid
GivEnergy Software will charge a single monthly fee for cloud premium access from May 2026, covering remote access, historical data, automation and API usage, while local standard access stays free.
Smart metering regulations signed into force
Regulations and amendments enacting smart metering consumer protection changes were signed into force in May 2026, alongside a wider clean flexibility update covering tariffs, storage and settlement.
- April 2026
Regulations come into force and scheme year 16 begins
The Warm Home Discount (England and Wales) Regulations 2026 came into force on 1st April 2026, continuing the scheme to 2030 with a £150 rebate and a £78 million non-core spending obligation for scheme year 16.
- March 2026
Energy Systems Catapult publishes response to DESNZ load control licence consultation
Energy Systems Catapult has published its response to the government's consultation on draft load control licence regulations, calling for a proportionate, risk-based approach that targets only those who control load.
Smart Metering Policy Framework Post 2025 laid before parliament
The government has published its response to the 2025 smart metering consultation, confirming a 90-day supplier duty on non-communicating meters and rollout completion by the end of 2030.
- February 2026
Compensation under smart meter GSOPs 1-3 commences
Ofgem has brought smart meter Guaranteed Standards of Performance 1 to 3 into legislation, with automatic supplier compensation for breaches starting on 23 February 2026.
Ofgem rule requires supplier response within five working days and £40 compensation for smart meter problems
Ofgem rules in force from 23 February 2026 require suppliers to set out a smart meter fix plan within five working days or pay £40 compensation automatically.
Smart metering Guaranteed Standards of Performance GSOPs 1-3 come into force
Ofgem's Guaranteed Standards of Performance 1 to 3 for smart metering took effect on 23 February 2026, covering installation appointments, failed installations and initial assessment of reported problems.
Energy Systems Catapult responds to DESNZ energy smart appliances consultation
Energy Systems Catapult has published its response to the government's consultation on first phase energy smart appliance regulations, calling for definitions that can adapt as technology changes.
BEAMA publishes response to Energy Smart Appliance Regulations consultation
BEAMA has responded to all five sections of the DESNZ consultation on Energy Smart Appliance Regulations, raising concerns over timelines, metering, cyber security and randomised delay.
Citizens Advice responds to DESNZ consultation on Phase 1 Energy Smart Appliances regulations
Citizens Advice has published a broadly supportive response to the government's consultation on first phase Energy Smart Appliances regulations, setting conditions on accessibility, accountability, interoperability and transparency.
Citizens Advice publishes State of the Smart report on consumer experiences of smart meters
Citizens Advice has published State of the Smart, a report on consumer experiences of smart meters, calling for enforceable in-home display replacement standards, a six-month back-billing window and a new test of whether a meter works.
First three smart meter GSOPs come into force
The first three smart meter Guaranteed Standards of Performance, covering installation timeliness, installation quality and issue resolution, came into force in February 2026, the Smart DCC has confirmed.
Ofgem brought in £40 compensation for smart meter installation issues
Ofgem reforms confirmed in February 2026 make households eligible for a £40 automatic payment when smart meter installations are delayed or fail, or when faults are not resolved promptly.
- January 2026
Ofgem publishes Final Decision on smart metering Guaranteed Standards of Performance
Ofgem has published its Final Decision on Guaranteed Standards of Performance for smart metering, setting out further detail on the proposals being taken forward, with the standards in place since 23 February 2026.
Statutory Instrument for smart meter GSOPs 1-3 signed
Ofgem has signed the Statutory Instrument bringing smart meter Guaranteed Standards of Performance 1 to 3 into legislation, with consumer compensation starting on 23 February 2026.