Ofgem puts E.ON Next among the best suppliers for keeping smart meters working, and we think flexibility is the key

Net zero will not be achieved in a single stroke. 

It will require effort on multiple fronts, changes to both technology and behaviour, and a flexible approach to new situations. Many of the government’s net zero targets focus on 2030, and as with any process that takes place over time this leaves room for circumstances to change, new opportunities to reveal themselves, and unanticipated challenges that may require fresh solutions. 

This idea is baked into one of the more significant domestic upgrades we are making to the way energy is consumed: smart meters. Because they provide a reading every half hour, these devices can keep bills down and help us towards net zero in a number of ways: 

• By managing supply to prioritise cheaper and renewable energy sources whenever possible. 
• By providing more accurate bills to customers so they never overpay. 
• By offering time-of-use tariffs, allowing households to access the best prices at any time. 
• By incentivising and facilitating smart devices such as electric heating, vehicles, and battery storage. 

These benefits come from building greater flexibility into how we produce and consume energy, and there is a lesson there for how we tackle the smart meter rollout as a whole. 

Responding to smart meter challenges as they arise 

E.ON Next has been working hard to meet the smart meter goals set by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. This includes having had the second most ambitious installation targets of any UK supplier, and in 2023 having installed the second highest number of units. But we’ve also looked beyond the targets and kept our eye on the government’s ultimate aspirations for reducing people’s bills and the UK’s emissions. 

This has required us to be responsive to issues that have arisen as part of the process, most notably the problem of installed smart meters not functioning properly in smart mode. E.ON Next has sought to tackle this through dedicated Smart Meter Health Teams who work to engage customers, identify issues, and make sure that every smart meter installed delivers the benefits that the government wants to see. 

Now, we’re happy to announce that our efforts have paid off. Recently released supplier performance data from Ofgem has found E.ON Next to have a 93.7% success rate when it comes to making sure meters are operating in smart mode, placing us among the UK's best suppliers for smart meter success. This is because E.ON Next is not only focused on meeting our first-order installation targets, but on adapting strategies as needed to deliver the real outcomes these targets are designed to achieve. 

Flexibility is essential for achieving net zero 

The UK government’s goal of installing a smart meter in every domestic property is an admirable one, and we are committed to supporting it every step of the way. But we also recognise that as the rollout continues the government may wish to revise its strategy to ensure that available resources are being allocated with the bigger net zero picture in mind. 

Whatever the case, we believe the most important thing is that suppliers, regulators, and government work together towards our shared goals. Much as a smart meter works by providing regular feedback so that customers and their suppliers can react accordingly, we think the best way to reach net zero is by keeping the lines of communication open and updating our targets, strategies, and approaches to compliance in the face of new challenges and opportunities. 

For more on our continuing efforts to put working smart meters in UK homes, and the benefits they can bring, read: Smart meters can make homes more efficient, but only if they work.