Consultation outcome

Smart meter coordinated consumer engagement

This consultation has concluded

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Detail of outcome

The government has confirmed updates to Smart Energy GB’s objectives, governance and funding threshold in order for it to continue effectively engaging consumers and supporting energy suppliers to achieve a market-wide smart meter rollout.

The government response confirms the proposals to:

  • update Smart Energy GB’s objectives as set out in energy supply licences, to ensure they remain relevant for the next phase of the rollout
  • strengthen Smart Energy GB’s governance, subject to minor amendments to further increase transparency, provide an appropriate balance of skills on the Board, and ensure that energy suppliers retain appropriate oversight
  • lower the threshold at which energy suppliers fund Smart Energy GB’s domestic capital costs from 250,000 to 150,000 gas or electricity (or both) domestic consumers
  • set 30 June 2021 as the date on which the new objectives and governance arrangements come into force, with the transition to be completed by the end of 2021

Detail of feedback received

We received 25 responses from a variety of stakeholders including:

  • energy suppliers
  • consumer groups
  • delivery partners
  • trade associations
  • individuals with an interest in the smart meter rollout

Original consultation

Summary

Proposals to update Smart Energy GB’s objectives, strengthen its governance, and revise its funding model, to focus on supporting the next phase of the rollout.

This consultation ran from
to

Consultation description

As part of its decision to introduce an obligation on energy suppliers to continue the rollout of smart meters beyond 2020, the government confirmed that Smart Energy GB should continue as the body responsible for leading coordinated consumer engagement activities. This work is necessary to achieve market-wide rollout and ensure that consumers are fully supported.

We are now consulting on a number of changes to Smart Energy GB, to focus on supporting the next phase of the rollout. Our proposals include:

  • updating its objectives
  • strengthening its governance framework
  • revising its funding mechanism

Please do not send responses by post to the department at the moment as we may not be able to access them.

Read the BEIS consultation privacy notice.

Documents

Published 18 June 2020
Last updated 23 November 2020 + show all updates
  1. Government response published.

  2. First published.