Policy background Part 7: Market Reform and Consumer Protection Smart meters
The Energy Act 2008, the Electricity Act 1989 and the Gas Act 1986 provide the Secretary of State a number of powers in relation to smart metering including to: make activities relating to smart metering licensable; modify gas and electricity licence conditions and industry codes; and veto any proposal by Ofgem to consent to the transfer of the smart meter communication licences.
	The Government has used the first of these powers to make the provision of the GB-wide smart meter communication service licensable, and the second to develop the regulatory framework. The regulatory framework continues to develop to facilitate the rollout of smart meters in Great Britain. The third power has not yet been used but is provided in order to maintain regulatory stability and government oversight of smart metering.
	These powers are currently due to expire on 1 November 2023. This Act provides for these powers to continue to be available to the Secretary of State for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero for a further five years until 1 November 2028. This will enable the Secretary of State to intervene where required to drive the rollout of smart meters in line with the annual targets imposed on gas and electricity suppliers through licence conditions for the 4 years to 2025. The extended timeframe will also enable the Secretary of State to ensure that the benefits enabled by the rollout can be fully realised, including through a post-implementation review of the rollout after 2025.