The network connecting millions of smart meters across the UK has moved to a new operator after 13 years under Smart DCC, a subsidiary of Capita. The handover puts the infrastructure under the ownership of the Smart Energy Code Company (SECCo), a not-for-profit organisation, with a stated focus on costs, transparency and consumer needs.
39 Million Smart Meters Covered by the Change
The transition affects more than 39.2 million smart meters installed across around 23 million homes and small businesses. Smart DCC has operated the network under a 13-year licence, providing the communications infrastructure that allows smart meters to connect with energy suppliers and other industry systems.
Capita said the transfer had been prepared to ensure a smooth handover. The company said the network has a 99.6% availability rate and has become critical national infrastructure during its time under Smart DCC.
New Operator Takes Over Energy Network
The network will now become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Smart Energy Code Company. The new structure is intended to put greater focus on operating costs, transparency and the needs of energy customers and consumers.
Ofgem said Smart DCC had played an important part in developing a secure digital communications system for the UK’s energy market. The regulator said the new licence holder would be expected to build on the existing infrastructure.
Millions of Energy Supplier Switches Have Used the Network
Since 2022, DCC has operated the Central Switching Service, which supports customers when they change energy supplier. By the end of September 2026, around 52.5 million supplier switches had taken place through the service.
The system was designed to make switching more reliable and allow changes to take place within 24 hours. For households, this means the infrastructure behind the switching process will continue under the new operating structure.
Smart Meters Help Manage Energy Demand
The network also supports efforts to manage electricity demand more flexibly. The Energy System Operator used the infrastructure to run its Demand Flexibility Service during the winters of 2022-23 and 2023-24.
During the 2023-24 winter alone, the service reduced electricity consumption by 3.7 GWh. That is equivalent to the electricity needed to power around 12 million homes for one hour.
The network has also been used alongside charities, local authorities and energy organisations working on programmes aimed at tackling fuel poverty.
Smart Meters Linked to Lower Carbon Emissions
Smart meters connected to the network are also associated with reductions in carbon emissions. According to the figures provided by the industry, the network has contributed to savings of approximately 1.5 million tonnes of COâ‚‚ over the past year.
The energy industry and Ofgem are also working on controlled access to anonymised smart meter data. The aim is to allow organisations to use information from the network while protecting individual customer data.
Capita Hands Over a Network Used Across the UK
Capita described the handover as the next stage in the development of an infrastructure that has grown considerably since its launch. The company said it was leaving behind a secure and resilient network connecting more than 39.2 million smart meters.
Ofgem said the new licence holder would now be responsible for building on that foundation. For households and small businesses with smart meters, the change is primarily an operator transition. The existing network continues to support smart meter communications, energy supplier switching and demand management under its new ownership structure.
