Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an estimate of the number of SMETS1s that are not in operation due to problems with their interoperability.

As of December 2016 there were approximately 0.33 million smart meters being operated in traditional mode in domestic properties. This includes, for example, premises ceasing to exist through demolition or reclassification, as well as suppliers not currently operating smart meters in smart mode when a consumer switches. Some energy suppliers are not yet offering smart services.

However, some suppliers already operate smart meters they have gained upon switching in smart mode. We are encouraging industry parties to enable more consumers to retain their smart services upon switching.

Work is underway to make SMETS1 smart meters interoperable between energy suppliers, through enrolment in to the Data and Communication Company’s system.