Smart Meters news, page 4
- 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.