Page last updated on 16th March 2026
About the rollout
The government wants energy suppliers to install smart meters in every home in England, Wales and Scotland. There are more than 26 million homes for the energy suppliers to get to, with the goal of every home being offered a smart meter by the end of the rollout.
Roles and responsibilities
The smart meter rollout involves lots of different tasks, including installing smart meters and creating a new wireless communications grid. There are many organisations involved, as well as new regulatory codes and standards. Below is a brief breakdown of all the responsibilities.
Watch the video below for more information about the smart meter rollout:
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Currently, millions of homes in Britain still have gas and electricity meters that may be decades old. This is why we still have to take our own meter readings and live with estimated bills.
All of which means it's very hard to know what we're using and what we're spending. Smart meters are changing this. Energy suppliers across the country are replacing our existing meters with smart meters as part of an upgrade to our energy system.
Installed at no extra cost, smart meters can help us to identify changes we can make to our energy use around the home. A smart energy system will also allow Britain to better integrate renewable energy sources.
Arrange an appointment with your energy supplier, and they will send a trained installer to fit your new smart meter and show you how to get the most out of it.
Join the millions of people enjoying the benefits of smart meters and play a part in making our energy system fit for the future.
The Government
The government has set targets and established roles and responsibilities for the national rollout of smart meters. The Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) is leading and monitoring the rollout. It has also set rules and standards to ensure that consumers are protected. These include rules around technical standards for the equipment and making sure the needs of vulnerable people are met.
OFGEM
The energy regulator Ofgem is responsible for making sure consumers are protected. They'll ensure that the energy suppliers stick to the standards set out in the Consolidated Metering Code of Practices (CoMCoP). They are also responsible for the governance of the Smart Energy Code which the Data Communications Company, the energy suppliers and the network operators have signed up to.
The Data Communications Company
The Data Communications Company provides the communications infrastructure that handles smart meter data. They make sure smart meters have the right information to generate your bill.
Energy suppliers
The energy suppliers are responsible for supplying and fitting smart meters. They need to abide by the rules and regulations set out in the Code of Practice (CoMCoP), including making sure people know how smart meters work and how to control their data. They also have to make sure that the smart meters they supply meet government standards – the Smart Metering Technical Standards (SMETS).
FAQs
Are smart meters compulsory?
No, smart meters are not compulsory; it's entirely your choice.
However, smart meters are the new generation of gas and electricity meters and they are replacing older energy meters.
This means it may not be possible for your energy supplier to install an old analogue meter, even if you request it.
Just like how it would be very difficult to replace an old TV from the 1990s without going digital, not many analogue meters are made anymore, and your supplier may not have them in stock.
We recommend that you speak to your energy supplier to discuss your options.
Learn more about if you have to have a smart meter.
Have other countries already got smart meters?
The United States, Canada, Italy, Australia, New Zealand and The Netherlands are among the countries already benefiting from smart meters and most other EU countries are currently rolling them out. In Great Britain, the rollout has been specifically designed with the consumer at its heart with millions of pounds of savings that are expected to be passed on through lower bills and energy efficiency, and will help Britain move towards a lower carbon economy.