Smart Meters: Powering Ahead or Falling Short?
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.
Meeting details
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.