The number of smart meters being installed has been falling over the last three months and the installation rate is lower than this time last year, according to new figures from industry body Electralink.

The body provides monthly rollout data to New Power and has highlighted the slowdown in installing the smart meters.

Electralink said, “The number of smart meter installs has decreased for the third month in a row; in fact the 234,500 installs in August 2018 represents a year-on-year decrease from 252,700 in August 2017.”

 

Suppliers are due to begin rolling out a new smart meter version with better functionality. That has been delayed as the new meters are still undergoing testing and Electralink said that may be a reason behind the slowdown.

It said, “It is possible that suppliers are reducing their Smets1 activity now that Smets2 rollout has begun, but the numbers show that no overall increase in productivity has been achieved yet this year. This adds additional pressure on suppliers if they are to complete the rollout on time.”