Ofgem has published a consultation on introducing new Guaranteed Standards of Performance for smart metering. As two-thirds of household meters are now smart, DESNZ and Ofgem recognise the need for specific consumer protections around smart metering. SMIP has worked closely with Ofgem to develop these proposals and sees them as a key step in improving the consumer experience and perception of smart.
Guaranteed Standards of Performance are Ofgem-owned regulations that set out minimum standards for energy suppliers and compel them to provide a set level of compensation to consumers where these standards are not met.
Over the past year, DESNZ and Ofgem have publicly committed to the introduction of new Guaranteed Standards of Performance in publications including Ofgem’s Consumer Confidence paper and DESNZ’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan. DESNZ has also engaged with various stakeholders on these plans, both bilaterally and at industry forums; these engagements have helped to inform the proposals published today.
The policy consultation sets out four proposed standards around two core areas of a consumer’s experience with smart metering: installations and smart metering issues. Ofgem is also consulting on whether the proposed standards should be applied to non-domestic consumers within scope of the smart meter rollout, as well as domestic consumers.
The policy consultation and approach to impact assessment can be found here. This consultation will be open until Friday 9 May 2025. We encourage all our valued stakeholders to respond.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Ofgem at smartmetering@ofgem.gov.uk.