SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, has called for called for clarity from energy suppliers and the UK Government as to the date on which the signal to old RTS electricity meters will be switched off, and whether a phased approach will be taken. The call follows repeated attempts by many island customers to get suppliers to come to replace RTS meters in advance of the previously stated deadline of 30th June.
The islands’ MSP has been assisting hundreds of constituents with securing meter replacement appointments in the run-up to the switch-off date, which could leave households on a dual-tariff meter with their heating stuck on or off. Last month, there were still around 2000 Western Isles households using an old RTS meter. The MSP is concerned that some energy suppliers are now only giving dates from July onwards, or telling their customers to contact the smart meter installers directly instead.
Energy policy is reserved to the UK Government, meaning the Scottish Government has no power to act in this area, but Allan has called on Ofgem to ensure there are consequences for energy suppliers who fail to meet their legal obligations to customers.
Commenting, the islands’ MSP said:
“Many of my constituents are rightly concerned that their energy suppliers will fail to replace their RTS meter in time, despite the deadline already having been pushed back from March 2024 to give energy suppliers enough time to complete this essential work. While there were some media reports a number of weeks ago regarding the potential for a more phased approach to the switch-off, this has not been confirmed by Ofgem or the UK Government. Devolved administrations, and affected households all over Scotland, are still being left in the dark about what contingency plans will be in place, should energy suppliers fail to replace all of their customers’ RTS meters in time.
“What is particularly frustrating is that even when customers in the islands have made several efforts with their energy suppliers about this - for over a year, in many cases - 2000 households in the Western Isles are still waiting. I have been given numerous examples of no-shows or short notice cancellations. I would urge the UK Government to provide clarity to islanders with RTS meters about how they will resolve this in the little time that remains for this to be sorted out.”
