Citizens Advice chief executive Gillian Guy told Utility Week the group is “concerned” that the communications system needed for the rollout of new smart meters has been repeatedly delayed, leaving consumers unable to make the savings that the meters are expected to bring.
“If these delays lead to a rise in the overall cost of the smart meter rollout, consumers could end up having to cover this by paying more through their bills,” she warned.
The DCC rollout has suffered several delays since its original go-live date of December 2015, including at the end of September, when the industry was poised for go-live but the DCC said that it was still “in the final stages of testing”.
Earlier this week, the DCC was forced to admit it had overrun the official contingency period for launch, undermining the target to have offered every home a smart meter by 2020.
A DCC spokesperson told Utility Week: “DCC is undertaking its final preparations for live services.” However, the company declined to confirm a new launch date.