Robert Leslie, the SNP candidate for the Orkney and Shetland Constituency in the General Election on 4th of July, has pledged to hold energy companies to account over how they will replace electricity meters that are due to become redundant next June after UK energy regulator Ofgem refused to share the plans that they received from the companies.
Mr Leslie, who is also pressing the case for meter engineers to be based in the islands, had asked Ofgem to release the detailed plans that they had requested from suppliers on how they would be carrying out the replacement of an estimated 900,000 Radio Teleswitch meters across the UK, of which there are hundreds across Orkney and Shetland.
However, in response Ofgem has said they cannot provide the detailed plans for suppliers regarding the RTS switch-off, as they have to ‘abide by prescribed policy on what we can share at the present time’.
Ofgem stated:
“We have received and reviewed energy supplier plans for ensuring RTS meters are replaced by 30 June 2025, and we are closely monitoring their progress. We cannot comment on or share the RTS replacement plans of individual suppliers. Each supplier is responsible for planning how they will ensure their customers with an RTS meter receive a smart meter replacement and experience no detriment. We have outlined our concern about the lack of progress in this area and we expect to see a marked improvement in the replacement of RTS meters as noted in our open letter earlier this year.”
In that letter in January 2024, Ofgem stated:
“We consider that consumers who remain on traditional RTS meters are not only being left at a disadvantage, as they are unable to take advantage of the benefits smart meters bring, but more importantly may be exposed to risks should their meter not be replaced prior to the closing of the legacy service.”
Mr Leslie said:
“With Ofgem unable to share these details I will be engaging with the individual energy companies in an attempt to get assurance that they are focused on what is becoming a more urgent situation with every passing day.
“The rate of replacement needs to be increased significantly, and I would suggest a targeted approach in Orkney and Shetland would be the way to progress this project more effectively, rather than rely on customers to get in touch and book replacements.
“Furthermore, with no meter engineers currently based in Orkney or Shetland, relying on visiting engineers to carry out these replacements in the islands is logistically difficult. Having island-based meter teams would be a better solution. This is another issue I want to raise with energy companies, as Ofgem has already declined to step in to push for swifter action on faulty meters, with many customers continuing to wait months for new meters. This leaves folk stressed about how much they might end up owing their suppliers.
“With the UK’s privatised energy system failing to deliver for Orkney and Shetland, an independent Scotland is the only way to ensure Scotland’s energy system works for householders and not shareholders.”
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