EDF’s recent installation in Ayr, Scotland, marks a significant achievement in the UK’s energy landscape: the 20 millionth connection to the national smart metering network, which is managed by the Data Communications Company (DCC).
DCC operates what it calls a “unique national asset,” ensuring energy data flows securely and efficiently from homes and businesses to energy suppliers. They built and maintain the infrastructure that supports smart meters across England, Scotland, and Wales, paving the way for a digitised power grid and aiding Britain’s goal of reaching net zero emissions.
To date, DCC estimates that its network has prevented over 1.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. Government research projects that the smart meter rollout will save a total of 45 million tonnes of carbon from 2013 to 2034. Currently, with more than half of British homes connected, smart meters are helping eliminate over a million tonnes of carbon emissions each year—comparable to removing a million cars from the roads.
Smart meter users also benefit from the Demand Flexibility Service, which encourages them to shift their energy use away from peak times, balancing out demand and reducing reliance on fossil fuel generation.
In celebrating this milestone, DCC pointed out a remarkable trend: a monthly installation rate surge of 300% in 2019 and a doubling of connections in both 2019 and 2020. The biggest leap occurred in 2021, where the rollout increased by eight million meters, while 2022 recorded the peak data traffic, marking a 70% growth year-over-year. Over 99.3% of premises in Great Britain now connect via the DCC’s smart meter network.
Penny Brown, DCC’s chief operating officer, expressed pride in the collaboration that led to this achievement. She emphasized the shared mission to help Britain decarbonise and make energy usage smarter and more cost-effective.
EDF’s director of retail, Rich Hughes, echoed the excitement, highlighting the customer benefits of smart meters, such as saving on bills and helping the environment. He pointed out their initiative to offer customers free electricity when they reduce energy use during peak times, which will play a vital role in creating a more flexible and greener energy grid in the future.