How to use OFGEM’s MHHS delay to your advantage

The OFGEM delay to the Market-wide Half Hourly Settlement (MHHS) programme does not mean you should stop preparations for Half Hourly settlement in 2025.

Sure, it seems a long way off. But by summer 2025 you may find yourself scrambling to catch up.

Here we explain why the delay is happening and show you how to use this extra time to prepare for MHHS.

Delay to the MHHS migration phase.

Ofgem has delayed the migration of meters over the HH settlement. 

This was due to start in April 2025 but has now been pushed back to October 2025.

Ofgem has delayed the programme’s migration phase to ensure that all the new software systems are robust and can be properly tested simultaneously.

Behind the scenes, industry agents, like us, continue to develop software and testing in full force.

The massive task of settling all of the electricity in the UK in such tight timeframes now has some extra breathing space to make sure all the new systems work properly.

You can see the OFGEM official decision document here

Quick reminder: what MHHS has in store

• HH meters will join either the Advanced segment (if they’re AMR) or the Smart segment (if they’re SMETS).
  • They will all be de-appointed & re-appointed into the new MHHS system

• Your NHH AMR will join the Advanced segment
  • They will continue to be directly collected by your preferred data agents

• Your SMETS meters will move into the Smart segment
  • Your data will be collected centrally by the DCC, with data made available to your data agents

• Your Unmetered supplies will join the Unmetered segment
  • They will change to HH settlement calculations

• Any traditional or dumb supplies will need to move into the Advanced or Smart segments
  • You’ll need to install either an AMR or SMETS meters

Read more: 7 MHHS changes you must know

How to use the MHHS delay to your advantage.

1. Learn the language of MHHS.

It’s hard to break old habits – it will take time for the new agent roles and lingo to sink in.

That’s why it’s important to use this time to become comfortable with the new terminology, so you can confidently navigate contracts and buying decisions.

Latest news blogs:

• Starter Guide to MHHS for Businesses
• Electricity Settlement changes under MHHS
• MHHS is not P272: understand the differences
• Advanced v Smart meters: What’s best for businesses?

New terminology:

• Our Glossary page

Our videos:

• Watch our “MHHS from the Front Lines” series and other videos to enhance your knowledge on our YouTube channel
  • Discover delivery insights, benefits & how to prepare
  • Make the most of MHHS for TPIs & consultants
  • Cut the complexity with our settlement experts

Share your knowledge:

• This is so important – share what you know with colleagues or clients, to make sure everyone has a good level of awareness

2. Install AMR where you have traditional meters.

Protect your ability to save energy costs with the right meter type for businesses.

All traditional or dumb meters must be replaced with a meter type that can handle Half Hourly Settlement.

It’s worth putting your metering roll-out plans in place now, rather than rushing last minute.

• Obtain a list of your MPANs
• Identify NHH dumb meters (ones with no AMR or SMETS)
• Arrange AMR installation with your metering provider

We recommend AMR instead of SMETS for businesses due to the data quality you will receive once MHHS has happened.

Read more: Advanced v Smart meters: what’s best for businesses?

3. Review your meters which have hand-held reads to reduce costs.

MHHS means more data faster, so meters with no way to remotely communicate will potentially start to cost more in site visits for data downloads than ever before.

We know there will always be some meters which will need a site visit to collect data manually. 

However, it’s always worth double-checking, as circumstances can change.

Local mobile network coverage and strength changes, meter locations could have changed or maybe your data agent has expanded the options they use to collect data. 

We use a variety of solutions to get meters communicating remotely – we’d much prefer to dial a meter than perform site visits.

In summary

Six months is forever when you’re a kid. But as adults we know this extra time will fly by.

This short delay to the MHHS migration phase is an opportunity to act, so you can experience a MHHS which is controlled, not rushed, where you know what you’re signing up for and what the best options are for you.

We are here to help and make it easy and seamless for you – so please reach out today if you have any questions.