The UK Government has issued a stern warning to energy suppliers, insisting they “must meet their obligations”, amid growing fears that more than 100,000 households in Scotland, particularly in remote island regions, could be left without heating or hot water—or face soaring energy bills—due to delays in replacing outdated electricity meters.
Energy consumers minister Miatta Fahnbulleh has been holding regular meetings with Ofgem and industry body Energy UK, urging suppliers to accelerate the replacement of old Radio Teleswitching Service (RTS) meters with smart alternatives.
The phased-out RTS system enables certain off-peak energy tariffs such as Total Heat Total Control (OVO), Comfort Plus (Scottish Power), and Economy 7/10, widely used in Scotland to control heating and hot water.
Originally, the RTS signal was due to be switched off in March 2024, but with a sluggish rollout of smart meters, the deadline has been extended to 30 June. Officials admit meeting this new target remains “undoubtedly challenging”.
Households Face Disruption or Higher Bills
The transition delays have sparked warnings from the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA), Wheatley Group, and Blackwood Homes and Care, who are calling for urgent supplier action to prevent thousands of vulnerable households from being left in the cold.
Ofgem has cautioned that failure to upgrade meters could leave heating and hot water permanently on or off, and result in inaccurate billing due to the inability to track off-peak usage.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero stated suppliers are legally required to provide alternative metering solutions and ensure no service disruption.
A government spokesperson said: “Suppliers must act swiftly. No one should lose access to heating or hot water. The pace of meter replacements must increase dramatically to protect consumers.”
They added that while RTS phase-out is industry-led, the government has stepped in to ensure momentum, with energy companies instructed to prioritise Scottish and rural areas.
Installation Delays and Funding Uncertainty
Frazer Scott, CEO of Energy Action Scotland, criticised the sluggish progress: “The pace of change is too slow and puts lives at risk. Many will lose access to heating or face unaffordable bills. Suppliers must urgently step up communication and installations.”
Scott also flagged concerns over the lack of clarity and criteria for funding needed to support households requiring additional electrical work ahead of the June cut-off.
“There are just weeks left, and there’s no detail on how people will be supported,” he warned.
Despite repeated warnings, Scotland continues to lag behind the rest of Britain in the rollout of smart meters.
In 2023, only 51% of electricity meters in Scotland were smart, compared to 63% across Great Britain.
The nation also recorded five of the ten lowest local authority take-up rates, with the Shetland Islands seeing just 10% adoption, followed by Orkney (12%) and Na h-Eileanan Siar (16%).
The SFHA is actively collaborating with Ofgem to raise awareness, and a delegation from the regulator is set to visit a social housing scheme in Aberdeen later this month to see the issue first-hand.
A Preventable Crisis?
Last year, Ofgem wrote to energy firms expressing concern about the slow pace of smart meter installations in Scotland. Critics now say this growing crisis could—and should—have been avoided.
“With time running out, government, regulators and suppliers must act decisively to prevent an avoidable catastrophe for thousands of Scottish households,” warned Scott.
