As the UK Government focuses on delivering economic growth alongside its green transition, smart metering presents a clear opportunity to support both objectives. A fully functioning smart meter system can help drive energy efficiency, strengthen energy security, support decarbonisation and reduce household bills.

 

However, progress has slowed in recent years, and there remains a need to ensure the programme is both completed and optimised to deliver its full value. 

After more than a decade of rollout, smart meter deployment has not yet reached full coverage. While a majority of homes now have a smart electricity meter installed, a significant proportion are either not yet operating in smart mode or are not delivering their full functionality. This limits the potential benefits for consumers and the wider energy system. 

Previous policy approaches prioritised detailed technical specification. While this helped establish the programme, it has also contributed to reduced flexibility, constrained innovation and increased costs. As the energy system evolves, there is a growing need to ensure that policy frameworks support outcomes rather than overly prescriptive requirements. 

To realise the full benefits of smart metering, consumers must have access to reliable, real-time energy usage data. This is essential for enabling smarter energy choices, supporting demand flexibility and integrating low carbon technologies into homes and businesses. 

Looking ahead, there is an opportunity for the next phase of the programme to take a more adaptive approach. This includes ensuring that smart meter specifications enable innovation, improving system performance, and supporting a more cost effective and flexible rollout model. 

With rollout contracts due for renewal, there is also a timely opportunity to reassess delivery arrangements and ensure they are aligned with long-term system needs, consumer benefits and international best practice. 

Getting smart metering right will be critical to enabling a smarter, more flexible energy system, one that supports both economic growth and the transition to net zero. 

Read more in BEAMA's Policy Recommendations for the next UK Government