Nearly a third of UK households are without electricity smart meters, causing manufacturers to flee the market, according to a new report. Analysis carried out by LCP Delta illustrates disparities between Britain and its European counterparts in deploying electricity smart meters.
While the UK has progressed in installing these meters in domestic homes, data indicates it is behind several European nations in achieving widespread adoption. Government statistics reveal that approximately 36% of UK households lack electricity smart meters which is raising concerns about national targets.Comparative data from European countries shows varying levels of progress in smart meter deployment, with France leading at nearly 93% of homes equipped, followed by Spain and Italy. In contrast, Germany lags due to a delayed rollout, while Britain falls short despite efforts to engage customers through a retailer-led approach.
The analysis underscores the crucial role of customer engagement in achieving widespread adoption of smart meters. While Britain performs comparatively well in customer engagement, the overall rollout encounters significant challenges. The report suggests that successful engagement strategies are influenced by the approach to rollout programmes, whether mandated or opt-in.
Addressing barriers to further rollout in the UK is essential to prevent missing national targets and maximise smart grid benefits.
Recommendations include raising awareness through targeted communication, offering attractive propositions to consumers, ensuring government accountability and addressing data privacy concerns.