Getting smart meters right will matter more than rolling them out
7th May 2026
The announcement last week from the Department for the Economy that smart meters are to be rolled out is a welcome and necessary step. For years, the local energy market has struggled to give consumers real visibility and control. Done properly, smart meters have the potential to change that – helping people understand their energy use, access flexible tariffs, and take more control over what they pay.
But the key word here is potential.
Because this cannot just be viewed as an infrastructure project. Installing smart meters is only part of it. The challenge, and real opportunity, is making sure smart meters actually help people manage their home energy costs.
For most households, energy is something that is paid for rather than actively managed. Bills arrive, often based on estimates, and there is limited visibility into what is driving cost. Smart meters can change that by showing what energy is being used and when…and at what cost.
This opens the door to new tariffs, particularly time-of-use pricing, where electricity is cheaper at certain times of the day. For some households, that could mean charging an electric vehicle overnight at a lower cost or shifting usage to off-peak periods. In the Republic of Ireland where smart meters have already been rolled out, we have seen EV tariffs with free energy between 2am-5am, free electricity on Saturdays or Sundays, and lower ‘working from home’ rates.
But this needs to be handled carefully. If consumers are faced with tariffs that are complex, unclear, or difficult to compare, the benefit quickly gets lost. The same applies if switching remains slow, or if people simply don’t feel confident engaging with what is being offered.
There is a risk that success is defined by how many meters are installed, rather than how many consumers benefit. If that happens, we will have modernised the technology without improving the outcome.
We have already seen how this can play out. In the Republic of Ireland, over 2 million smart meters have been installed – a significant achievement – but the full consumer benefit has been slower to materialise.
Uptake of smart tariffs has been gradual, with many consumers sticking to traditional plans despite information campaigns promoting ‘smart’ being pushed out. In part, that reflects a lack of clarity around the real value, but also confusion in terms of tariff complexity, and the sheer number of tariffs on offer. Take an electricity comparison…where previously 30 tariffs may have been available, this has increased to 70+, making it harder, not easier, for people to find the right option.
There have also been concerns around how data is used, and while much of this has been addressed, trust takes time to build. Connectivity issues, particularly in rural areas, have also affected confidence and the ability to fully access smart services.
None of this is to suggest that the rollout in Ireland has not been worthwhile. But it highlights an important point: installation does not equal engagement. If Northern Ireland is to get the full benefit of smart meters, these lessons need to be taken on board from the outset.
And the opportunity is real. At Power to Switch, we already use data from smart meters to match people to tariffs based on how they actually use energy. Whether that is cheaper night-time charging for an EV or free electricity at weekends, tariffs can be aligned to how households actually live.
This is where the real value sits – not in the data itself, but in how it is used to help people make better decisions. To unlock that, several things need to happen.
First, smart tariffs need to remain simple and understandable. Complexity is one of the biggest barriers to engagement. If people can’t clearly see the benefit, they won’t switch or save.
Second, trust needs to be built from the outset. That means being transparent about how data is used, addressing concerns early, and ensuring that any mistrust is tackled head on.
Third, the focus needs to go beyond awareness. It is not enough to tell people about smart meters – they need the skills and confidence to use them and make better choices.
And finally, the technology itself needs to deliver. Smart meters need to be “smart” in practice – consistent, reliable, and working everywhere, including rural areas where connectivity has often been a real issue.
None of this is insurmountable. In fact, it is entirely achievable, and what people will expect. But it does require a shift in focus from rollout to real-world use.
Northern Ireland is coming to smart meters later than most. That brings its own challenges, but also a clear opportunity to learn from what has already happened elsewhere. Done properly, smart meters can genuinely change how people manage their energy — giving households more control, more choice, and better outcomes.
The rollout is an important step. But it is only the first one.
Success will not be measured by how many meters are installed. It will be measured by whether people understand smart meters, trust them, and actually benefit from what they can offer.
Aodhan O’Donnell Founder: Power to Switch. Power to Switch is an independent energy comparison and switching service that helps households find better deals and take control of their energy costs. www.powertoswitch.co.uk and www.powertoswitch.ie
