SMS secures one million smart meters from Aclara to install for UK energy suppliers
SMS becomes the first meter installer, manager, and operator to offer Aclara’s complete portfolio of second generation (SMETS2) gas and electric smart meters to the UK utilities market
SMS has extended its partnership with smart infrastructure solutions supplier, Aclara, entering into a new agreement to deliver one million smart meters in the United Kingdom. The volume commitment will see SMS continue to install Aclara devices for its energy supplier clients as part of the government-mandated smart meter rollout.
The Glasgow-headquartered Group has so far installed more than 1.5 million domestic smart meters and is currently contracted to deliver a further 2.5 million smart meters to UK consumers through its commercial energy supplier agreements.
The supply deal with Aclara means SMS will now offer utilities the ultrasonic SciFlo® gas meter – a new dual-band device and the most compact gas meter on the market – which was approved for mass deployment earlier this year.
Commenting on the agreement, Tim Mortlock, Chief Operating Officer of SMS, said: “I’m delighted to confirm the extension of our relationship with Aclara which secures the supply of a further one million smart meters to be installed as part of our ever-growing customer orderbook. This is testament to our mission to deliver Britain’s low-carbon future, for which the continued and ramped up rollout of smart meters is an absolute prerequisite.”
The introduction of dual-band functionality offered by SciFlo® is a critical step forward in the rollout of second generation (SMETS2) smart meters. The technology could potentially unlock approximately 25 percent of the total UK housing stock that currently experiences connectivity issues, such as flats and homes with thick walls, enabling millions more homes to benefit from smart metering.
Mortlock added: “Our partnership with Aclara is not just about volume, it is also about delivering real innovation. As we continue to work together to develop next generation devices for the UK market, our aim is to help energy suppliers and consumers realise maximum benefit from the smart transition through enabling smarter energy solutions, cost savings, and carbon reductions.”
This is not the first time SMS and Aclara have teamed up to deliver innovation in the metering space. Last August, SMS became the first installer in the country to fit a three-phase SMETS2 device after working with Aclara to develop the solution for UK utilities.
Jason Subirana, Division Vice President of Meters at Aclara, said: “The growing partnership between Aclara and SMS demonstrates how access to a single-sourced, comprehensive solution provides a distinct advantage in the marketplace. The availability of a complete portfolio of SMETS2 meters ensures that UK energy suppliers and Meter Asset Providers like SMS are better equipped to fulfil smart metering mandates in the United Kingdom.”
