Early uptake of smart meters carries risks

Early adopters of smart meters risk losing the benefits if they switch to energy suppliers unable to fully support the technology, a government consultation warns.

The risk arises in the ‘foundation stage’ of the government’s smart-meter roll-out scheme, during which standardised equipment specifications and a centralised data communications company (DCC) have yet to be established.

This phase, which began in April 2011, will last until late 2014. A second ‘mass roll-out’ phase will then run until 2020.