Covid-19 Pandemic sees smart meter installations fall to lowest level since 2016

Lockdown Impacts

Over the course of 2020 the two big lockdowns imposed by the UK government saw installations tumble to just 1.997 million, the lowest number recorded since 2016.

The first national lockdown had the biggest impact on the number of smart meters being installed as energy suppliers struggled to get to grips with the new rules designed to keep consumers and engineers safe.

In the first quarter of 2020 domestic smart meter installations were shown to have declined by 15% when compared with the same time in 2019. Tens of thousands of installations had to be cancelled or postponed due to the restrictions.

Smart meter installations then saw an uptick from June as lockdown measures began to be eased and energy suppliers had learnt and implemented new policies to keep people safe.

Also read: Covid-19’s impact on smart meter installations revealed

Great effort by Energy Suppliers

Despite the decline the Electralink data also highlights just how well energy suppliers have done during such a difficult operating period.

Since new guidance was released at the end of the first lockdown and as Ofgem pushed them to try and recover lost ground, suppliers have done well in terms of the number smart meters installed in the remainder of the year.

Measures such as ensuring that engineers stick to a two-meter distance from customers, the carrying out of Covid-19 risk assessments and the use of PPE has allowed suppliers to try and catch up.

During the second lockdown the number of smart meters being installed was strong, but the pace slowed again in December due to the Festive holiday season with 172,000 meters being installed. Installations in December were down 25% on November.

As the year came to an end the total number of smart meters installed since the smart meter rollout began was 14.7 million.

Also read: Energy Suppliers under pressure to step up Smart Meter rollout in 2021- How not to alienate customers

A million smart meters needed as old radio network switches off

A million households will need a new smart meter over the next two years as the old radio network used to operate old electricity meters such as Economy 7 and Economy 10s is switched off.

Whilst many of these meters use internal clocks or operate digitally there is an estimated one million that still rely on the Radio Teleswitch Service. The service is broadcast alongside the BBC’s long wave transmission but is set to be switched off from April 2023.

Due to the age of the meters, they will no longer be able to switch between peak and off-peak tariffs, meaning that consumers will be stuck on a potentially highly expensive single rate. Other issues that may arise include the meters no longer being able to switch on electric heating systems.

With no plans to replace the Teleswitch service, Smart meters are the only other option. Energy suppliers with customers on the old service should inform them that their current meters will need replacing and explain why.

Further Reading

World's first local time-of-use wind tariff launched- a sign of things to come?

No plans to lower VAT on energy bills despite Brexit promises says Treasury

British Gas recorded a 15% decline in electricity demand among UK business due to Covid 19 and more strike action on the way

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