Smart meter installations fall despite incoming rollout deadline

Figures from Cornwall Insights indicate that the current installation rate would need to quadruple in order to meet the 2020 target, which is the equivalent of 51,000 meters per day.

Oliver Archer Analyst at Cornwall Insight, believes that meeting the current deadline now looks incredibly challenging.

“The drop-off in installations will come as no surprise to many, especially given the ongoing issues with the transition to SMETS2 meters,” he said.

“Even an extended target of 2023 presents difficulties – install rates would still need to increase by close to 6,000 meters a day to reach this. As the industry finally moves over to SMETS2, technical issues are also beginning to make themselves felt.

 “Installations have consistently lagged on what one might expect to meet the target by the end of the decade. However, the drop off in installations shows a deceleration rather than acceleration, despite the proximity of 2020. Technical issues like those experienced in the north certainly won’t help.”

The north of England, which has historically seen higher penetrations of smart meters, saw installations fall 14 per cent following the SMETS1 end date as suppliers reported difficulties connecting meters to the region’s communication network.