Bad Data, Broken Energy System: Why the UK Faces a £4.5 Billion Crisis

Britain’s energy system is running on bad data, and the consequences are staggering.

One in three electricity meters, more than 11 million in total, fail to deliver accurate Half Hourly consumption data.

This shortfall risks billions in unnecessary costs, inaccurate bills, and undermines the UK’s path to Net Zero.

The question is: can we fix it before it’s too late?

The Data Deficit explained

The UK’s electricity infrastructure is outdated, and the lack of reliable data is holding back progress.

Market-wide Half Hourly Settlement (MHHS) is one of the most significant reforms in decades, designed to unlock £4.5 billion in system-wide benefits.

But these benefits depend on accurate, timely data.

Today, suppliers are only required to provide one actual meter reading every 14 months. A shocking gap in a world that demands real-time insights.

Why it matters

Poor data doesn’t just mean inaccurate bills. It ripples across the entire energy ecosystem:

The cost of inaction

Our modelling shows the financial risk is real.

Under MHHS, poor performers could face millions in penalties, while high performers reap rewards.

For large suppliers, the swing between “Very Poor” and “Very Good” performance can mean a £21 million difference.

Procurement decisions based on the lowest upfront cost will backfire; data quality is now a competitive differentiator.

What needs to change

To close the data gap, suppliers and agents must:

The clock is ticking. Migration to MHHS started in October 2025, and by July 2027 every MPAN must be migrated.

Those who act now will unlock billions in benefits.

Those who don’t will face fines, churn, and reputational harm.