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Millions of smart meters continue to operate in “dumb” mode according to the latest government statistics released today (28 November).
One industry observer has estimated that if installations continue at the current rate, the smart meter rollout will not be complete until 2028.
According to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) there were 15.6 million smart meters in operation as of 30 September – a 4 per cent increase on the previous quarter.
More than 1.06 million smart meters were installed in domestic properties by large suppliers, a 6 per cent increase on Q2. Meanwhile 20,800 non-domestic meters were installed by large suppliers, a 6 per cent decrease.
Yet almost 20 per cent of these (3.1 million) were operating in what BEIS refers to as “traditional” mode, meaning they do not communicate with the network properly.
Despite the government’s pledge to move the rollout deadline to 2024, only 28 per cent of domestic meters are now smart meters operating in smart mode meaning there is still a huge challenge ahead for the energy sector before the target can be reached.
Peter Earl, head of energy at comparethemarket.com, said: “Despite a small uplift in the number of smart meters in operation the current installation rate is still way off the mark if the 2024 target is to be achieved.
“If installations carry on at the current pace, we estimate that we won’t see a smart meter in 85 per cent of homes until at least 2028 – four years past the recently revised deadline.”
Utility Week recently called for smart meters to become mandatory in our 2019 general election manifesto.
You can read our full manifesto here
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