Smart Meter Installations hit a record high in October as Energy Suppliers increase efforts

Increased smart meter installations

Lockdown 2.0

Despite the strong performance in October, the smart meter rollout will likely experience a considerable slowdown again in November due to the introduction of Lockdown 2.0.

The stricter social distancing and self-isolating rules introduced by the lockdown will no doubt result in a reduction in the number of meters being installed.

During the first lockdown, the smart meter rollout was paused entirely and forced the government and Ofgem to extend energy suppliers ‘obligations to take all reasonable steps to install smart meters’ by six months.

“With the latest nationwide lockdown from 5 November to combat the spread of COVID-19, it will be interesting to see how the installation rate changes. During the first national lockdown in spring this year, smart meter installations fell sharply due to efforts to keep households, employees, and site engineers safe.

“However, energy suppliers are implementing social distancing safety measures to prevent transmission of the virus between engineers and end users in an attempt to keep the smart meter rollout on track,” said Electralink.

So far this year 1.588 million smart meters have been installed in 2020 with a grand total of 14.3 million being installed since the smart meter rollout began.

Also read: What will Lockdown 2.0 mean for UK Energy Suppliers?

Government’s Green 10-point plan

The announcement of the UK government’s 10-point plan shows smart meters are set to play an important role.

The measures included in the plans such as banning and replacing all gas boilers with electric heat pumps and banning the sale of all new diesel and petrol cars by 2030 will rely on smart meters to collect data and keep consumers informed of their energy usage.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Although this year has taken a very different path to the one, we expected, I haven’t lost sight of our ambitious plans to level up across the country. My Ten Point Plan will create, support, and protect hundreds of thousands of green jobs, whilst making strides towards net zero by 2050.

“Our green industrial revolution will be powered by the wind turbines of Scotland and the North East, propelled by the electric vehicles made in the Midlands and advanced by the latest technologies developed in Wales, so we can look ahead to a more prosperous, greener future.”

Currently the smart meter rollout is optional but as the push towards NetZero intensifies it may not be beyond the realms of possibility that this might change in the future. All new builds will no doubt have to come with smart meters already installed. 

Further Reading

What does Boris Johnson’s 2030 Ban on new Petrol and Diesel cars mean for energy suppliers?

Number of Energy Supply switches to Challenger Suppliers hit highest ever level

Energy Price Forecast 2021: Covid-19, Brexit and much more

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.