Britain’s smart meter network moves to non-profit oversight
Original report:
The Guardian reported on 2 November 2026 that Britain’s smart meter data network was moving from Capita’s Smart DCC to a non-profit operator. The change followed years of rising costs, rollout delays and scrutiny of procurement contracts.
Responsibility for the data network linking Britain’s roughly 39 million smart meters passed to a non-profit successor, the Guardian reported on 2 November 2026. The transfer ended a 13-year licence held by Capita subsidiary Smart DCC. The network operator would become wholly owned by the Smart Energy Code Company, under a public-interest model with an independent board.
The successor said it would prioritise costs, transparency and consumer needs. The handover followed delays and regulatory scrutiny of Smart DCC’s procurement, including contracts awarded without competition. Capita said it was transferring a secure, resilient network, while Ofgem credited Smart DCC’s infrastructure work and said the incoming licence holder should build on it.
The rollout was intended to modernise Britain’s energy system and support renewable power and data-led tariffs, with ministers originally seeking universal household coverage before 2020. Yet the report said three in 10 households still lacked a smart meter, and the government’s spending watchdog estimated completion might require another £1.7bn.
Source
the Guardian — 2 November 2026
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