The UK rollout of energy smart meters is a key part of the clean
energy transition—but the programme has faced ongoing criticism
due to delays, rising costs, faulty devices, and consumer billing
problems. Originally due for completion by 2019, the national
rollout has seen repeated delays and scaled-back ambitions.
Smart meters are intended to help households better manage energy
use and receive more accurate bills—while supporting the critical
national challenge of balancing demand and supply across a grid
increasingly reliant on renewable energy.
But performance issues remain. Around 10% of installed smart
meters are not operating correctly—and according to
MoneySavingExpert, the true figure may be closer to 19%
when a broader range of faults is included. With public
confidence wavering, installations actually fell by 15% in 2024
compared to the previous year.
In a one-off evidence session on Tuesday 11 June, the Energy
Security and Net Zero Committee will question key industry and
consumer bodies—including Citizens Advice, Energy UK and Smart
Energy GB, which leads on public engagement—about the reliability
and cost-effectiveness of smart meters.
Is the Government on track to meet its latest target: 74.5% of
homes and 69% of small businesses to have a smart meter—or at
least to have been offered one—by the end of 2025?
Should the focus shift from quantity to quality: making sure
meters work, rather than simply boosting installation numbers?
And with issues ranging from incorrect billing to disrupted
supply, who is really accountable when smart meters fail?
Later in the session, the Committee will explore the wider system
implications of smart meters including privacy and cybersecurity
risks, and international comparisons such as Denmark, a global
leader in renewable energy.
Witnesses: Wednesday 11
June
From 3:00pm
-
Sara Higham, Director of Corporate Affairs, Smart
Energy GB
-
Alex Belsham-Harris, Head of Energy Consumer Markets,
Citizens Advice
-
Ned Hammond, Deputy Director for Policy, Energy UK
From approximately 4:00pm
-
Penny Brown, Chief Operating Officer, Smart DCC
-
Simon Elam, Principal Research Fellow, UCL Energy
Institute
-
Pil Krogh Tygesen, Energy Counsellor, Embassy of
Denmark
