Energy companies are refusing to fit ‘dumb meters’ despite concerns about incorrect readings, as drive for net zero continues
EMMA GATTEN
Households are being forced to fit smart meters by Britain’s biggest energy companies in a drive to meet net zero targets.
Four of the “big six” energy firms, including British Gas and Octopus, confirmed to The Telegraph that they no longer fit “dumb” meters when replacing equipment at the end of its life.
Ed Miliband’s push for the UK to get most of its power from clean renewable energy by 2030 relies heavily on homes being fitted with smart meters. They respond to changes in supply and demand from intermittent solar and wind sources.
The Energy Secretary set the original deadline for all households to have smart meters as 2020, during his first stint in the job in 2011, and made providers responsible for the roll-out.
But energy companies have consistently fallen short on their targets to fit the meters, with customers concerned that they provide incorrect readings. The big six suppliers are all facing investigation by Ofgem, the regulator, over last year’s installation figures.
It is not against Ofgem’s rules for suppliers to only offer smart meters and companies told The Telegraph that they no longer held any stock of older models.
Smart meters can be switched into “dumb” or restricted mode by energy suppliers, meaning they do not send automated readings.
But Citizens Advice told The Telegraph that some suppliers are refusing customer requests to do this, despite rules saying households should have the option.
Energy retailers have been holding up the introduction of new rules to make it easier for households to put their own smart meters in dumb mode since 2021.
Two firms – Octopus and British Gas, which together supply electricity to 43 per cent of British households – told The Telegraph they no longer stock dumb meters to replace older models.
Ovo said it had a limited stock which it would only install in “exceptional circumstances”, while EDF said they would only be installed “in extremely rare and specific circumstances, such as a ruling from the Ombudsman or a customer with severe health issues”.
A spokesman for EDF added: “Legacy meters are no longer being manufactured and energy suppliers have a regulatory obligation to install smart when replacing meters.”
Scottish Power said its traditional meters were in “short supply due to manufacturers no longer producing these assets”, while E.ON declined to comment.
Older non-smart meters can last 10 to 20 years before suppliers are obliged to install a replacement.
“Smart meters can help you save energy and money, and consumers have choices about how their smart meter data is used, but they aren’t compulsory,” said Alex Belsham-Harris, the head of energy policy at Citizens Advice.
“If suppliers are unable to offer traditional non-smart meters, they should provide smart meters in restricted mode instead, which stops them sending automatic readings. However, we’re aware of cases where suppliers are refusing to do this.
“Ofgem must ensure all suppliers are following the rules properly. And companies should simplify the process for switching smart meters to restricted mode.”
Energy companies now offer significant savings to households that use dynamic tariffs, which mean prices fluctuate with supply and demand, only for users on smart meters.
In its report last year on how the Government can meet its 2030 clean power goal, the National Energy Systems Operator said smart meters would “provide the foundations of this system”, alongside electric cars that can feed power back to the grid.
“To achieve this, higher levels of smart meter penetration will be needed,” it said. “Consumer and industry concerns about data and privacy must be addressed.”
The Telegraph: continue reading
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