Energy / MP calls for more urgency in smart meter roll-out as radio switch-off looms
CONCERNS over the rate of smart meter installation in places like Shetland ahead of the shutdown of the radio teleswitch service (RTS) in June has been raised in parliament by local MP Alistair Carmichael.
He said the Northern Isles are significantly behind the rest of the country in replacing RTS meters, of which there are around 5,000 in Shetland.
Minister for energy consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh responded: “We have got to deliver on the teleswitching transition.
“We are behind where we need to be, but we are working with industry and with Ofgem to make sure that households are not left in the dark, that everyone who can have the upgrade to smart meters, and I am very keen to work with him and with members across the house to make sure that we get this right for his community and other communities that are affected.”
People in Shetland have been urged to check their electricity meters to see if they need to be replaced ahead of the RTS shutdown on 30 June.
Through a radio signal, RTS helps older meters in homes and businesses change to off-peak electricity tariffs.
However, the radio signal is being switched off in June.
A meter may use the RTS if the customer is on a tariff that charges different electricity rates at different times of day, which are common when electric storage heaters used.
Trade association Energy UK said RTS is being turned off because the underlying equipment that sends out the signal is at the end of its operational life.
Electricity customers are being warned if they do not replace their RTS meter with a smart meter, their heating and hot water systems might not turn on, or off.
Speaking at a meeting of Lerwick Community Council on Monday evening, Hjaltland Housing Association chief executive Bryan Leask said there is a degree of uncertainty as to what will happen once it turns off.
He raised one potential outcome in which heating stays on – racking up expensive bills in the process.
But one Lerwick community councillor said his supplier, EDF, has been telling him for four and a half months there is no-one available in Shetland to install smart meters for them.
Stewart Hay added that EDF said it was also unlikely there would be people available.
But Leask said suppliers have a statutory duty regarding the smart meter roll-out. However, there have been instances in Shetland where smart meters struggle to work properly due to issues with signal.
Other suppliers seem to fare better regarding the roll-out, with OVO vans for instance often seen out and about in Shetland.
Energy regulator Ofgem had set up an RTS taskforce to ensure suppliers contacted all RTS customers by 31 December 2024.
The simple advice is that if someone is unsure on what to do, they should contact their energy provider.
Meanwhile Carmichael said it is encouraging that government ministers appear to be aware of the problems people are facing with the upcoming RTS shutdown.
“But we really need to see a bit more urgency in terms of actions,” he added.
“The isles have specific issues in transitioning away from RTS meters which will require a specific solution from the government.
“This is not something that can be left to the eleventh hour. When I meet with the minister again tomorrow, I want to see some concrete answers on how we get to where we need to be by June.”
Meanwhile it has been confirmed that the RTS situation will have no impact on Lerwick properties which have district heating.
Become a member of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider paying for membership to get additional features and services: -
- Remove non-local ads;
- Bookmark posts to read later;
- Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
- Hide membership messages;
- Comments open for discussion.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.
Already a member? Sign in to hide this message.
