Over 160,000 Scots risk losing heating as smart meter rollout stalls
Edinburgh: It’s a tough time for over 160,000 Scots who are facing a heating crisis. The rollout of smart meters has hit some serious delays, and folks are worried about what happens when their old meters stop working.
With the deadline looming at the end of June, many households and businesses could lose control over their heating and hot water. That’s a pretty big deal, right?
Alasdair Allan, the SNP Minister, is calling for urgent action from the UK Government. He’s really concerned about the impact this could have on people’s lives.
Right now, many homes in Scotland rely on the Radio Teleswitching Service (RTS) to manage their energy tariffs. But come June 30th, that service will be switched off, and a lot of homes still haven’t received their upgrades.
If the rollout isn’t finished in time, families, schools, and businesses could be left in the cold—literally. The deadline has already been pushed back, but there’s a lot of worry about how this is all being handled.
Allan has reached out to the UK Government, stressing how crucial it is to get these new meters in place. He’s worried that without them, people might end up stuck with higher energy costs and unreliable heating.
He mentioned that over 165,000 properties are still using the RTS service, which is a bit alarming. If they don’t get the new meters, they could face some serious issues with their heating systems.
Frazer Scott, the CEO of Energy Action Scotland, echoed these concerns. He pointed out that this situation isn’t the fault of the consumers but rather a result of poor planning. It’s been nearly a decade of missed deadlines, and now people are at risk of being left without heat.
Scott emphasized that the UK Government and energy suppliers need to step up their game. People need guarantees that their energy prices won’t spike due to these meter changes, especially for those who are most vulnerable.
Ofgem, the energy regulator, acknowledged that while progress is being made, it’s still not enough. They’re working with suppliers to ensure that everyone gets the support they need before the switch-off date.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said they’re collaborating closely with Ofgem and energy suppliers to make sure the transition goes smoothly. They’ve got millions of smart meters already in place, but it’s clear there’s still a lot of work to do.
