Five energy firms are banned from taking on new customers
OFGEM HAS banned five energy firms from taking on new customers until they join a common system that allows households to take full advantage of their smart meters.
The energy watchdog said it had issued final orders against Daligas, Enstroga, Entice Energy Supply, Euston Energy (trading as Northumbria Energy), and Symbio Energy for failing to become so-called Data Communications Company (DCC) users after a November 2017 deadline.
The system allows smart meters to keep their smart functionality – such as sending meter readings to energy suppliers automatically – even when customers start buying their gas or electricity from a new company.
The five firms were among nine that were warned about the action in January when Ofgem gave them a deadline of March 31 to become DCC users.
The DCC system allows smart meters to keep their smart functionality.
Ofgem warned that it could revoke the firms’ licences altogether if they still fail to comply with the DCC rules.
Of the original nine suppliers that were warned over enforcement action, three – Ampower, Green Supplier and UK National Gas – have since become compliant.
Better Energy has not been issued with a final order as it no longer has any domestic customers and has asked for its supply licence to be revoked.
All suppliers have to sign up to the DCC system so customers can be sure their switch is as seamless as possible.
The roll-out of energy smart meters has been mired in controversy, which has contributed to delays.
Many customers with first generation Smets 1 meters lost function when they switched to a new supplier.
This meant their meters became analogue and households were forced to submit meter readings manually.
Energy experts say Smets 1 meters will regain their smart functions in a year or two when the DCC system is extended to include the first-generation technology.