Ofgem has delivered plans for a faster switching program for consumers making the switching process faster, more reliable and more efficient.

To ensure a fast and reliable retail market for consumers, Ofgem has announced a Centralised Switching Service which will tie together gas and electricity systems under the DDC.

The service, which went live in 2021 cost in the region of £600m and will aim to deliver 24 hour switching for domestic gas & electricity customers and two working days for non-domestic. Previously customers could expect to switch to take up to 3 weeks.

The service will be overseen by the Data Communications Company (DCC) which is charged with overseeing the linking of smart meters in small businesses and homes with energy supply companies and network operators. 

The DCC will ensure that once the smart meter rollout is complete the whole metering system will work smoothly. 

First-generation smart meters (SMETS1) will be added to the CSS network by energy suppliers so consumers can switch without losing smart functionality in their device. 

Seamless switching is already the case for those consumers who have a SMETS2 smart meter installed, as these are automatically enrolled onto the DCC network.

The Retail Energy Code will be launched alongside the new centralised switching service, replacing the current Master Registration Agreement (electricity) & Supply Point Administration Agreement (gas).

Under the new REC, market participants will need to support switching arrangements that will enable consumers to switch their energy supplier reliably and quickly, including by the end of the next working day if they choose. 

Market participants will be required to connect to the Central Switching Service in accordance with their code of connection and interface specifications.

The changes will require co-operation from all key industry bodies and Ofgem will implement statutory licence conditions to ensure compliance from suppliers, distributors and data communication companies. 

If you are considering entering the UK energy market and require assistance with licence applications, speak to us today about whether you want to ​ buy an energy supply business or create an energy supply business​.

Our CSS Adapter comes as part of the Regman and Gasman solutions 

For more information on how to start and manage an energy company, contact Dyball Associates today.

FAQs