Ofgem has revised its proposed timetable for changing the way all domestic and small business customers are charged for their electricity and asked for industry feedback.

The change will mean customers are billed for their real usage in each half-hour, instead of against an assumed usage profile. It will make it possible to use real pricing in time-of-use tariffs, which is considered key to incentivising customers to respond to market price signals. Without the change, a significant part of the business case for smart meters falls away.