Number of Smart Meters connected to the DCC network surpasses 6.7 million in just 12 months

The latest report from the Data Communications Company has shown that a new milestone has been achieved in the smart meter rollout with 6.7 million smart meters connected to the DCC network in 2020/21.

Why is it a milestone?

Strong recovery from Covid disruption

The number of smart meters being installed during the first and second Covid-19 lockdowns fell to historic lows as engineers were unable to enter customers homes. With lockdown measures at an end, energy suppliers have wasted no time in making up for lost ground.

According to the DCC, daily installation rates are almost back to pre-pandemic levels with 20,000 new smart meters being installed per day.

“The DCC and its partners have performed well in a year disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic and it’s great to see momentum building again behind this national infrastructure programme. Our drive for the coming period will be to make further improvements for energy consumers by supporting the migration of the remaining first-generation smart meters onto our network, and to deliver a new, faster and more reliable switching service,” said Angus Flett, Chief Executive Officer at DCC.

Also read: New research shows that Energy Suppliers are restricting tariffs for customers with smart meters

SMETS 1 meters returning to functionality

One of the biggest faux pas of the smart meter rollout was the fact that millions of SMETS 1 smart meters lost their functionality when a customer switched energy supplier, essentially making them useless.

Now, however, the DCC is working to return the smat functionality to those dormant energy meters. Over 4 million were migrated to the DCC network during 2020/21 allowing for a sharp increase in network coverage across the country.

The DCC says that it now reaches 99.3% of all premises across Britain.

“This has been a strong performance by the DCC during the 2020/21 regulatory year. I am most proud of the progress we’ve made in facilitating the over-the-air migration of the country’s first generation of smart meters onto our network. This has been a significantly challenging and highly technical undertaking, with thousands of device and software combinations. It represents one of the largest ever IT migrations in a live environment,” said DCC Chairman Richard Flett.

Also read: What is a Data Communications Company (DCC) Adapter?

Get connected with Dyball’s DCC Adapter

Dyball’s DCC adapter has been built from the ground up by our IT experts and is designed to simplify and minimise the level of IT development to an energy company’s own internal systems. This is a simpler, more efficient way to be smart meter ready and start rolling out faster.
 

All new energy suppliers have to be a DCC user in order to successfully exit Controlled Market Entry (CME).

To start supplying, new energy market entrants need to undergo a stringent qualification process with Ofgem and Elexon. Dyball Associates provides expert energy market consultancy services to energy suppliers across the UK. For guidance on market entry, CME and DCC compliance contact our experts.

Dyball Associates DCC Adapter integrates seamlessly with our other SAAS services, including our own energy billing software and CRM system. This allows for a smooth automation of many day-to-day processes and our Business Orchestration layer (BOL). 



Thanks to our accredited testing, any company aiming to enter the energy supply market will find it far easier to do so. Dyball Associates can minimise the downtime to receive your industry qualifications and get your energy supply business approved faster than by taking other routes to market. 

Our shared services are a turnkey solution that offer a low-risk and cost-effective option for users, allowing us to host and operate a wide range of DCC services on the customers’ behalf.

Further Reading

Ofgem confirms a record high increase to the Energy Price Cap as 26 Energy Suppliers sign up to fresh commitments to help struggling consumers

Ofgem consultation on proposed changes to enforcement procedure: What are the implications for energy suppliers?

How should Energy Suppliers explain Energy Bill Increases?

Dyball Associates are proud to help new supply businesses successfully launch in the UK market.

Through our energy market consultancy services, and the software we’ve developed, we’re supporting new UK electricity and gas suppliers get set up and start supplying.

For more information on how to start and manage an energy company, get in touch with Dyball Associates today.