Smart Energy Code

The introduction of smart metering requires changes to be made to the legislative and regulatory frameworks for the gas and electricity markets in Great Britain. Key changes include the creation of a new licensable activity (addressed in a draft Prohibition Order recently consulted upon by the Government) providing for a communications service for smart metering in the domestic sector (to be fulfilled by the Data and Communications Company – “the DCC”) and a new industry code – the Smart Energy Code (“the SEC”). The SEC will govern the relationship between the DCC and the users of its services, including energy suppliers, electricity and gas network operators and other parties. It will also set out other detailed provisions relating to smart metering systems that are considered necessary to ensure that the arrangements for smart metering are managed in a consistent and holistic manner across both the gas and electricity sectors where required to deliver the Government’s policy objectives for smart metering.

This consultation document describes, and seeks views on, key features of the SEC.