A total of 4.2 million smart meters – eight per cent of the total – are currently operating in “dumb” mode, the latest statistics from the government have revealed.
Smart and advanced meters currently make up 39 per cent of all meter installations in Great Britain, according to the figures from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
The latest figures are to the end of Q1 2020, shortly after the lockdown was announced.
During Q1 large suppliers installed 980,000 domestic smart meters, which was 15 per cent less than in Q4 2019. Meanwhile 22,000 non-domestic smart and advanced meters were installed, 31 less than the previous quarter.
As of 31 March 2020, 21.5 million smart and advanced meters had been installed in homes and small businesses in Great Britain.
Of these, 17.3 million (31 per cent) are operating in smart mode or are advanced meters.
Smart meters can operate in “traditional mode”, meaning they lose their smart functionality, for a number of reasons.
- Customers switching to suppliers currently unable to operate the meter in smart mode
- Meters being unable to communicate via the wide area network at the point of reporting
- Customers having their meter installed in traditional mode
- Installed meters yet to be commissioned (e.g. in new build premises)
The Data Communications Company (DCC) is in the process of integrating first-generation (SMETS1) smart meters onto its national network, allowing them to communicate properly. BEIS says meters that are operating in traditional mode are being given priority.
Concerns were raised at the beginning of the lockdown as to how coronavirus will affect the smart meter rollout.
Data from ElectraLink found that installations decreased by 95 per cent during the lockdown as non-essential home visits have been halted.
As the UK moves towards easing some restrictions, there has been concern over diminished consumer confidence in allowing engineers in their homes to install the devices. Philippe Commaret, EDF’s managing director of retail, recently told Utility Week that the sector needs to renew confidence in the rollout following the pandemic.
“The key success factor will be definitely to recreate confidence with customers, so we have to demonstrate to them that when we are going to install a smart meter, it is going to be safe for the customer and for our employee. To do so, we are reviewing our protocols in order to stay for as little time as possible in the house and also to maintain social distancing from the customer,” Commaret said.