- Centrica has selected Yorkshire‑based Chameleon Technology to supply in‑home display devices and help accelerate the UK smart meter rollout.
- Chameleon’s technology is already installed in more than one third of British households, positioning the company to scale quickly.
- Centrica says the devices will help customers understand consumption patterns, manage energy use and make more informed decisions.
British Gas owner Centrica has turned to technology supplier Chameleon Technology to revitalise Britain’s flagging smart meter rollout.
Under the partnership announced on 5 June, Chameleon will provide in‑home display (IHD) devices that show real‑time energy usage. The devices will enhance delivery capacity as Centrica aims to meet government‑mandated installation targets by 2030.
The UK government’s smart meter programme is designed to modernise the grid, reduce carbon emissions and eliminate estimated billing by fitting gas and electricity meters with digital displays. While nearly half of UK homes now have smart meters, installations have slowed due to supply‑chain issues and consumer scepticism.
Chameleon’s technology is already in roughly one third of British homes; expanding its deployment should help customers monitor usage, shift demand to off‑peak times and cut bills. Centrica asset‑finance director Gareth Openshaw said the partnership will enable customers to “better understand consumption patterns” and manage energy use.
The announcement came as the regulator Ofgem continues to crack down on poor customer service in the smart meter rollout. In March, Centrica’s British Gas unit agreed to pay £20 million into Ofgem’s voluntary redress fund after an investigation found vulnerable customers were not always treated appropriately when prepayment meters were installed.
Rival supplier OVO Energy also paid £10 million following similar failures. Centrica says it has since overhauled its processes, but the settlement underscores the political sensitivity of the rollout and the need for suppliers to handle vulnerable households with care.
The partnership signals renewed momentum behind smart meters. IHD devices could become a focal point for demand response programmes and energy‑usage apps, potentially enabling households to take advantage of dynamic tariffs.
The rollout’s success will depend on customer trust, digital literacy and suppliers’ ability to integrate real‑time data into billing and energy‑management services. The involvement of a homegrown tech firm like Chameleon may also bolster domestic supply chains in the wider energy transition.
