In its new report, the PAC highlighted that only 57% of all electricity and gas meters in Britain are smart as of March 2023, despite the rollout being in operation for over a decade — and it being four years since the rollout was first slated to be completed.

The Committee discovered those with traditional meters are now less interested in having the smart technology. Reports of “bad practice last winter around forced switching of consumers onto smart prepayment meters” was relayed as one of the potential reasons why consumers may be put off.

However, energy suppliers are feeling the pressure of government-imposed smart meter targets, which can translate into putting pressure on the general public to install, the inquiry heard.

Complicating things further are the technical issues: around 3 million (9%) of smart meters aren’t working properly as of March 2023, the report noted. Further, components for an estimated seven million smart meters will need to be replaced as they’ll lose functionality when 2G and 3G mobile communications networks shut down.

Most worrying, however, is the Committee’s concerns that smart meters may not be achieving the consumer benefits they’re supposed to in regard to energy savings.

In light of these issues, the PAC has recommended that the UK Government work with Smart Energy GB — the non-profit body helping to drive consumer engagement — to review its public engagement strategy.

It also suggested that the government update its evidence base on the benefits consumers are actually receiving, and to help ensure that suppliers use future-proofed technology in all new smart meter installations, among a series of other actions.

Recommended reading

• New Glasgow Smart Meter Project Aims to Combat Cost of Living
• Smart-reader AI Tech Helps to Tackle Cost of Living Crisis
• How Is Smart Data Foundry Unlocking the Power of Data for Positive Change?

Speaking on the rollout and the PAC report, Dame Meg Hillier MP, chair of the Committee, said: “The rollout of smart meters was first conceived in 2008, with a planned completion date of 2019. Some 15 years later and four years after that missed target, and its vision of access and support for every household to control their energy efficiency remains a distant one.

“There are functionality issues with many, millions will have to be replaced when they become obsolete, and the evidence is unclear whether their benefits are even working as advertised.

“On top of this, smart meters have serious reputational obstacles to overcome with the public. In particular, our inquiry has found that consumers’ enthusiasm for adopting one has been understandably harmed by recent shocking reports of forced installations.

“The Government must now get onto the front foot and explain how it is going to sell this troubled programme to the public – and how it will successfully deliver during a cost of living crisis for those it ought to benefit the most.”