Smart meter rollout sees quarterly rise as installations exceed 12 million

There are now more than 12 million smart and advanced meters operating across homes and businesses in Great Britain, according to new figures from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

Figures for the second quarter of 2018 up to 30 June show a nine per cent increase in the number of meter installations compared to the previous quarter, with a total of 1.25 domestic smart meters installed during this latest period.

Over the same period, 17,400 smart and advanced meters were installed in smaller non-domestic sites by large energy suppliers (of which 12,100 were advanced meters and the rest smart meters), again showing a small increase compared to the previous quarter.

To date, around 13.55 million smart and advanced meters have been installed altogether in homes and businesses across Great Britain by both large and small energy suppliers – around 12.51 million (92 per cent) of these were installed in domestic properties as part of the smart meter rollout.

Rollout carried out “safely, efficiently and cost-effectively”

In response to the figures, Robert Cheesewright, director of policy and communications at Smart Energy GB, said: “People with smart meters are already experiencing the benefits. Our research shows that more than eight in 10 people with smart meters have taken steps to reduce energy waste and the majority of people say they have a better idea of what they are spending on energy.”

A spokesperson for Energy UK, added: “With more than 12 million smart meters now installed in the UK, more and more customers are enjoying the benefits that smart meters bring and are reporting high levels of satisfaction.

“Suppliers remain committed to meeting the government’s deadline of ensuring all households and businesses are offered a smart meter by 2020 and these figures show how energy companies are working hard to reach as many customers as possible and to ensure the rollout is carried out safely, efficiently and cost-effectively.”

“We want smart technology to work for consumers. Extending the deadline to 2023 will allow more time for problems that consumers are already experiencing to be fixed. This would allow suppliers to rollout the remaining meters at a pace that delivers the best possible consumer experience.”