Smart future

We are playing a key role in delivering the Government's ambition that very soon, every household and small business in Great Britain can benefit from smart meters.

To achieve this, we seek continually to enhance our technology infrastructure and functionality. We're also delivering programmes that will ensure that all compatible meter types are interoperable and that households can switch energy supplier quickly and effectively, retaining full smart functionality.

Together, these activities create the foundation for a digital energy revolution which will bring savings and improved experience for our customers, the energy companies and network operators, and also for their consumers. The DCC will help industry bring new business models and services to market by creating a major platform for innovation, underpinned by enhanced test facilities.

In time, in line with our licence obligations, we will explore opportunities to reduce costs for users of the platform, through re-use of our national infrastructure in other markets.

To maximise the benefits of the smart meter infrastructure and to enable innovation, we must ensure that the system and services we offer are scalable, flexible, adaptable and accessible to an increasingly diverse customer base.

A key strand of activity to support industry activity and enhance access to the smart metering system is our plan for an innovation hub.