The smart meter rollout has hit a new milestone, as the Data Communications Company (DCC) confirms the installation of the four millionth second-generation smart meter (SMETS2).
The meter was installed in West Malling, Kent by British Gas on the morning of 26 February.
The pace of the SMETS2 rollout is continuing to increase, after the three millionth meter was installed in December. According to the DCC, there is a 13-fold increase in speed in comparison to 2019.
At this point last year, there had been just shy of half a million SMETS2 meters installed. The DCC announced the millionth installation in May 2019.
In the most advanced areas, the uptake of SMETS2 meters is now one in four households. Bolsover in Derbyshire is currently leading, with the largest installation rate of anywhere in the UK.
DCC’s Chief Executive, Angus Flett, said that the network grew “incredibly fast” in 2019.
“This milestone reflects the efforts of all involved in the rollout, including the energy companies and network operators, and those working with us to deliver and operate the network.
“Our network is a platform for good, and the data flowing across it is paving the way for better use of renewable energy. We believe in making Britain more connected so we can all lead smarter, greener lives.”
As the number of smart meters has increased, so has the data traveling through the DCC’s network. A new record was set in January, with 138 million messages sent to and from SMETS2 meters.
This marks an increase in messages of almost eight times since this period last year.
Despite the increase in installation rate however, concerns still remain over the rollout. The original date for the rollout was pushed back to a goal of 85% by 2024 by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) following numerous struggles.
Even so, a report by Frontier Economics in November suggested that installation levels “will fall far short” of the government’s goal of 85% by the end of 2024.
