Several households in the UK are reportedly being pushed to install smart meters by two of the UK’s biggest energy companies in a bid to meet net zero targets. Four of the “big six” energy firms, including British Gas and Octopus, confirmed that they no longer fit “dumb” meters when replacing equipment at the end of its life, reports The Telegraph.
Smart meters are designed to automatically send energy usage data to suppliers, ensuring accurate billing. However, energy suppliers can switch them into “dumb” mode or restricted mode, meaning they lose their smart functionality and no longer transmit readings remotely. Octopus Energy and British Gas, which together supply electricity to 43 percent of British households, have stopped offering traditional (dumb) meters when replacing old or faulty ones, The Telegraph reported.
The UK government launched a nationwide smart meter rollout to install smart meters in every home and small business by 2025.
The goal is to modernise the energy system, reduce carbon emissions, and improve energy efficiency across the country.
Ed Miliband has been pushing for most UK households to get most of their power from clean renewable energy by 2030 And it can be done only if homes are fitted with smart meters.
In 2011, during his first term as Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband set the initial deadline for all households to have smart meters by 2020. He also made energy providers responsible for leading the rollout of these devices.
However, several energy companies have failed to meet their targets to install the meters, followed by the customers raising issues about the wrong readings. An investigation is currently underway by Ofgem over the last year’s installation numbers. es.
A Smart Energy GB spokesman told the publication: “People can be reassured that personal information such as name, address and bank details are not stored on a smart meter.
“The meters simply record gas and electricity readings in the same way as a traditional meter. Security has also been at the heart of the smart meter rollout from its inception. We have conducted a number of campaigns to support consumer understanding of this and other issues.”
A spokesperson for Energy UK, the industry association, stated that the responsibility for the smart meter rollout, coupled with advanced technology and a shortage of stock, means that, “when it’s time to replace a traditional meter, suppliers will replace it with a smart meter, except in exceptional circumstances.”
The spokesman told The Telegraph: “Example of exceptional circumstances would be a customer in area without strong enough signal at present for smart and where they might go off supply as a result.”
