Industry Change

On 3 December 2025, Ofgem announced its decision to approve a critical modification to the Smart Energy Code (SEC), known as SECMP308. This change comes at a pivotal moment for the energy sector, as it addresses the growing issue of “Out of Region” Communications Hubs (CHs) installed in areas where service providers are not contractually obliged to maintain connectivity. The modification was proposed by the Data Communications Company (DCC) and granted urgent status by Ofgem, reflecting the pressing need to safeguard smart meter functionality for tens of thousands of consumers across Great Britain.

I0282 is a Retail Energy Code (REC) change proposal focused on the challenges associated with the return of non-smart (legacy) electricity meters to Meter Asset Providers (MAPs). As the energy sector transitions to smart metering, thousands—if not millions—of legacy meters are being removed and transported across the country. This process has raised significant questions about cost, environmental impact, and operational efficiency.

Key Issues

• Cost and Environmental Impact: The transportation and handling of legacy meters incur substantial costs and contribute to environmental concerns due to the scale of logistics involved.
• Unclear Requirements: It is not always clear whether all MAPs require the return of old meters, leading to potential inefficiencies and unnecessary movements.
• Recycling and Disposal: There is uncertainty around whether these meters are being recycled, disposed of responsibly, or simply stored. The net value of returning and disposing of old meters remains unclear.
• Operational Complexity: Storage providers often struggle to identify the original MAPs, especially when company names have changed over time, complicating the process of return and disposal. 

Proposed Solution

The I0282 proposal suggests several improvements:

• Streamlining the Process: Simplify the return and disposal process to reduce unnecessary transportation and handling.
• Environmentally Responsible Disposal: Encourage recycling or environmentally friendly disposal of legacy meters, rather than defaulting to return.
• Clearer Commercial Arrangements: Establish more transparent agreements between parties to clarify responsibilities and reduce costs.
• Direct Collection by Waste Management: Where possible, allow waste management companies to collect meters directly, bypassing unnecessary steps. 

Industry and Consumer Impact

• Industry: The proposal primarily affects Distribution Network Operators, Energy Suppliers, MAPs, and Metering Equipment Managers. It references the Consolidated Metering Code of Practice (CoMCoP), which currently requires meters to be returned to MAPs unless alternative arrangements exist.
• Consumers: No direct impact on consumers is anticipated, but there are potential environmental benefits from improved recycling and disposal practices.

Next Steps

I0282 will be presented by the Code Manager at the next REC Change Issues Group meeting on 04 December 2025 (10:00–12:00). Stakeholders are encouraged to attend and contribute to the discussion on how best to address these challenges and implement more sustainable practices. 

For more information or to participate in the upcoming meeting, please refer to the official REC Portal or contact the Code Manager.

The Retail Energy Code Company has published new guidance to support Meter Operator Agents (MOAs) and Suppliers in handling Meter Technical Details (MTDs) for Metering Points that have been reverse migrated from the Advanced Market Segment to Non-Half Hourly (NHH) arrangements.

Background

With the Market-wide Half Hourly Settlement (MHHS) migration underway, all electricity Metering Points are expected to transition to MHHS arrangements by 7 May 2027. During this period, some Metering Points initially operating in the Advanced Market Segment may be reverse migrated—particularly if the new Supplier is not MHHS Qualified. In such cases, the Metering Point can be reallocated to the NHH market, requiring the appointed MOA to provide NHH MTDs, even though only Half Hourly (HH) MTDs may have been received as part of the migration process. 

The Reverse Migration Scenario

• Reverse Migration occurs when a Metering Point, previously operating under MHHS Advanced arrangements, is moved back to legacy NHH arrangements.
• The Gaining MOA receives the D0268 ‘Advanced Meter Technical Details’ from the Losing MOA.
• If the new Supplier chooses to operate the Metering Point under NHH (Measurement Class A), the MOA must convert the D0268 into the appropriate NHH market messages:
  • D0149 ‘Notification of Mapping Details’
  • D0150 ‘Traditional Meter Technical Details’
  • D0313 ‘Auxiliary Meter Technical Details’

The Supplier is responsible for informing the Gaining MOA that NHH MTDs are required. Communication methods should be agreed bilaterally, with the D0142 message recommended for requesting changes to the metering system. 

Key Guidance for MOAs

• D0149 Creation: Mapping details are not included in the D0268. The incoming NHH MOA should interrogate the Advanced Meter to determine or update the setup. If this is not possible, assume a single rate (SSC 0393) with a single register (TPR = 00001).
• D0150 and D0313 Creation: Most data items can be directly translated from the D0268, but SSC and register details should align with the D0149.

Important Considerations

• Suppliers should carefully consider the risks of converting Advanced Segment Metering Points back to NHH, especially the accuracy of MTD conversion and the need to migrate these sites back to the Advanced MHHS segment before the next milestone.
• Reverse migration of Advanced Metering Points is expected to be rare, as most will not migrate to MHHS until April 2026 or later. 

Further Information

New guidance is available on the REC Portal, Population of NHH MTDs when Reverse Migrated from Advanced, to support MOAs and Suppliers in managing this scenario. For more details, visit www.recportal.co.uk or contact enquiries@recmanager.co.uk.

The Code Manager convened a Q&A session on 19 November to address two significant Retail Energy Code (REC) issues impacting Meter Asset Providers (MAPs) and potentially Meter Operator Agents (MOAs) as part of the Market-wide Half-Hourly Settlement (MHHS) programme. These issues have raised concerns across the industry due to their implications for billing accuracy, operational efficiency, and compliance.

Key Issues Discussed

• I0230 – J0049 Field Optionality
  The “Effective from Settlement Date” (J0049) within the D0303 flow has changed from mandatory to optional following MHHS design changes. This adjustment, while aligned with programme requirements, introduces a risk that MAPs may not receive critical data needed for accurate billing and meter-to-MPAN association. Without this information, MAPs could face challenges in determining which electricity supplier to invoice.

• I0261 – Export MPAN Confusion
  The growing adoption of microgeneration at domestic sites has led to the creation of Export MPANs, complicating installation flows. MAPs must now manually verify whether a D0303 flow is corrective or ignorable, increasing workload and the potential for errors. This issue is expected to escalate as more households adopt renewable technologies.

Proposed Temporary Solutions

Due to dependencies on MHHS, immediate resolution is not feasible. The Code Manager outlined four temporary solutions leveraging the Electricity Enquiry Service (EES):

1. EES API Access for MAPs

   • Pros: Flexible, already available, addresses both issues without REC change.
   • Cons: High query volumes could impact API stability and performance.

2. Regular Portfolio Extracts from EES

   • Pros: No API impact, uniform delivery, supports invoicing.
   • Cons: Monthly frequency only, requires development and cost assessment.

3. Portfolio Extracts for MHHS Metering Points Only

   • Pros: No API impact, suitable for I0230.
   • Cons: Does not resolve I0261, monthly frequency, development needed.

4. Update D0303 to Add Export Flag

   • Pros: Provides an enduring fix for I0261.
   • Cons: Must be combined with another solution for I0230, may require future updates.

Highlights from the Q&A

• Access to EES API: MAPs can apply via the REC Portal under Organisation Management. Approval typically takes around three months, subject to completion of information security and GDPR compliance checks.
• GDPR and Data Protection: Concerns were raised about data privacy and API performance. The Code Manager confirmed that EES adheres to GDPR standards similar to ECOES, and tailored risk assessments are required due to differences in data scope and usage.
• Industry Impact: Attendees emphasised the need for enduring solutions and further engagement, noting that MHHS changes clearly affect MAP operations despite initial assumptions to the contrary.

Next Steps

• The Q&A outcomes will be published on the REC Portal by 26 November 2025.
• The Information Request remains open until 23:59 on 5 December 2025.
• Following this, the Code Manager will review responses and consult with issue proposers to determine the most viable path forward.

REC code manager has also produced podcast episode is regarding these changes. In this episode Caroline Freimuller explores how I0230  and I0261 are progressing through the REC Change Process, and how REC Parties can engage with the Code Manager as part of a collaborative solution development approach for these Issues. https://lnkd.in/ehGmHXKb

This session underscores the complexity of implementing MHHS changes and the importance of collaborative problem-solving across the energy sector. Stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback before the consultation closes to ensure solutions meet operational and compliance needs.

The REC Metering Expert Panel (RECMEP), a key sub-committee under the Retail Energy Code (REC), is inviting nominations to fill a recently vacated Supplier seat.

RECMEP plays a vital role in shaping metering arrangements across the energy industry. Its responsibilities include:

• Reviewing and voting on metering-related change proposals
• Maintaining Category 3 operational products
• Addressing industry-wide metering issues

With the Supplier seat now vacant, the Code Manager has issued a call for nominations. This is an opportunity for suppliers to actively contribute to the governance and development of metering standards that impact the entire market.