Source · Select Committees · Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
Recommendation 23
23
Deferred
Smart meter rollout remains sluggish, unreliable, and fails to achieve adequate GB coverage.
Conclusion
The smart meter rollout has been sluggish, unreliable and has failed to achieve adequate coverage across Great Britain. Poor levels of reliability mean that many consumers are unable to benefit from more accurate billing, which has increased the occurrence of billing issues. It also limits access to flexible tariffs and the ability to sell energy back to the grid. Targets for suppliers have focused too much on the rollout of new smart meters, rather than the performance of existing ones. (Conclusion, Paragraph 84) 47
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the smart meter rollout issues and has consulted on a new policy framework for 2026-2030, proposing updated smart meter rollout targets by 2030 and more stringent requirements for suppliers to ensure meters are functioning in smart mode within 90 days. Responses to the consultation are currently being analysed.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
As of the end of June 2025, almost 40 million smart and advanced meters have been installed in homes and small businesses across Great Britain, representing 69% of all energy meters nationwide. Of these, 91% were operating in ‘smart mode’ and sending automatic meter readings to consumers’ energy suppliers. Whilst the number of meters not operating in smart mode has been decreasing, the Government wants to go further and faster to reduce this and to ensure more households in all parts of Great Britain can enjoy the benefits of smart meters. Therefore, we are taking decisive and ambitious action. On 8 August 2025, the Department opened a consultation on a new policy framework for the smart meter rollout from 2026 that aims to deliver a step change in consumer experience. The framework proposes that suppliers must take all reasonable steps to complete the smart meter rollout by installing smart meters in remaining domestic premises by the end of 2030. While suppliers are already obligated under their licence conditions to take all reasonable steps to ensure their customers’ smart meters are functioning in smart mode, the consultation also included proposals for more stringent requirements for suppliers to take all reasonable steps to recover smart meters not operating in smart mode as soon as possible and no later than 90 days in both domestic and non-domestic premises. The consultation on the post-2025 policy framework closed on 3 October 2025, and responses are being analysed.