NEWS

The UK government is pushing to complete the smart meter rollout by 2030. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched a new consultation to set a post-2025 policy framework. The ambition is stark: drive domestic smart meter coverage from today’s 63% to as much as 85–100% by the end of the decade.

On the surface, it looks like a bold leap forward. In reality, the consultation has landed at a moment where the industry must decide what matters most. Do we need more smart meters at any cost, or should the focus be on fixing the ones we already have to get the biggest benefits?

In this article, we’ll dive deeper into the consultation and try to answer these questions.

Government plans

DESNZ has tabled four major proposals to drive the rollout forward:

• Fix ‘smart as dumb’ meters quickly – Suppliers must restore smart functionality within 90 days of identifying the fault. The framework strengthens licence conditions to deliver service improvements, ensuring faulty meters are back online fast
• Pre-emptive replacements for network changes – Ageing SMETS1 equipment and communications hubs must be replaced before they fail, especially ahead of the imminent 2G/3G switch-off by 2033
• Complete the domestic rollout by December 2030 – A firm deadline obliges suppliers to take all reasonable steps to install smart meters in all remaining homes. Separate provisions for non-domestic premises are still under consultation
• Annual deployment plans with extra transparency – From June 2026, suppliers must submit detailed deployment plans to Ofgem; binding milestones begin in January 2027, and progress must be published online

The story behind the numbers

Approximately 63% of UK energy meters in Great Britain are currently smart. This is a solid enough foundation. DESNZ’s modelling indicates that under the new framework, domestic coverage could climb to between 85% and 100% by 2030.

However, below the headline numbers lies a more complex picture:

• 3.3 million meters already installed are running in ‘smart as dumb’ (SAD) mode, which means they record every usage but fail to communicate with the supplier
• 14 million SMETS1 meters, installed during the first phase of the rollout, are ageing and susceptible to going offline over time
• Over 250,000 Radio Teleswitch (RTS) meters remain in use, relying on outdated technology and depriving consumers of their smart meter benefits

These numbers highlight a critical point. The challenge is not just about adding more meters, but ensuring the existing fleet works as intended.

The Meter Corp view

Meter Corp recognises the scale of the rollout but questions whether the government’s targets deliver real value. With 63% of meters already smart, the industry is collecting vast amounts of data. In practice, the insights gained from additional devices will not be significantly better than what is available from the current population.

For Meter Corp, the real priorities are clear. Fix the millions of SAD meters that already frustrate households and suppliers. Replace ageing SMETS1 units and the legacy Radio Teleswitch meters still ticking away in homes and small businesses. These steps will have a bigger impact on performance than installing another wave of new devices.

There is also a practical factor. Many engineers are moving into other areas of the energy transition, such as installing heat pumps. The pool of skilled labour available for mass smart meter deployment is shrinking. That raises questions about whether the government’s targets are realistic, even before considering their value.

Meter Corp believes the smart meter rollout has reached a natural point of maturity. Rather than aiming for an arbitrary coverage percentage, the industry should adopt a standard replacement cycle. New technology should only be installed when necessary, while existing meters should be kept working or replaced when they fail.

The bigger policy picture

Beyond a plan for full smart meter coverage, the government’s new framework signals a policy shift:

• It gives the regulators more muscle by embedding clear obligations and performance targets into licence conditions
• It aligns rollout with wider energy strategy – Smart meter data is a key enabler of net zero progress, supporting system flexibility, fuel poverty initiatives and greater consumer engagement as outlined by the DCC’s business plan

These elements could elevate smart metering from a technical upgrade to a strategic asset. However, that value depends less on coverage percentage and more on data quality, accessibility and network reliability.

The smart meter rollout at a crossroads

DESNZ aims to lock in performance gains and complete domestic rollout by 2030. The new framework offers structure, transparency, and a path forward. But Meter Corp warns of false economies. Bigger benefits lie in fixing and modernising what’s already in place, not in adding more.

The real debate is between chasing numbers and delivering meaningful outcomes. The choice will define the role of smart metering in the UK’s energy system over the next decade.

Meter Corp’s recommendation: step back from blanket growth targets. Prioritise fixes, replacements, and reliability. Let coverage grow as a natural, needs-based process—not as an end in itself.