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Independent supplier Ovo Energy has called upon the energy industry to do more to support prepayment customers who are locked out of the smart revolution as larger suppliers lag.
The supplier made the call as industry data has revealed the lack of prepayment options is undermining the smart rollout with the majority of customers who have had their smart meters replaced are returning to traditional prepayment meters.
Only Ovo and fellow independent supplier Utilita offer smart prepayment as standard, with big six suppliers British Gas and Eon currently running smart prepayment trials.
A spokesperson for Ovo said: “At Ovo we offer the cheapest prepayment tariff on the market and the only full service pay as you go app. However, millions of energy customers are still being over-charged and underserved because the rest of the industry is lagging behind.
“This is not a one horse race and we think it’s high time the rest of the industry caught up.”
Data from industry system operator Electralink reveals that of the customers with smart meters who have subsequently switched supplier, 8 per cent have had their smart meters replaced following the switch.
Of these 8 per cent up to 70 per cent, depending on the model of smart meter, have had their smart meter removed and replaced with a traditional prepayment meter.
Ovo said: “Right now, if a customer switches away from Ovo, their new supplier could remove their smart meter and replace it with the old traditional type. This is because their systems can’t talk to the new technology. It’s a bit like an old dial phone trying to link with the iPhone 6.”
Only four other suppliers currently support the smart meters being installed by Ovo, including the other smart prepayment provider Utilita.
If the model is not supported the meter will be left as a so-called ‘dumb’ credit meter, or replaced with the new suppliers own smart prepayment meter or traditional meter.
Ovo said: “Recently, the Competition and Markets Authority called for energy companies to focus on giving smart meters to prepayment customers and we wholeheartedly support this move.”
“From being forced to make top-up trips at the most inconvenient times, to household emergencies due to energy suddenly running out, prepayment energy customers have endured a rough ride from the industry – they deserve a better deal.”
During the main rollout starting in 2016 all smart meters will be able to function in either prepayment or credit mode.
The national campaign for the smart meter rollout Smart Energy GB confirmed that interest levels in prepayment smart meters is high amongst the general public, not just current prepayment customers.
Almost half the British population have expressed interest in using smart prepayment to pay for their energy bills.
Smart Energy GB’s director of policy and public affairs Claire Maugham said: “Smart meters will transform the inconvenient and expensive prepayment experience.
“Some energy suppliers are already offering smart pay-as-you-go and others are investigating how they can do so in the future. More and more people will benefit from the greater choice and convenience smart meters will offer as the national rollout continues.”
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