Published 10 October 2020
A Meter Operator (MOP) is responsible for certain technical aspects of an electricity meter, including its installation, maintenance and configuration. The term is most commonly associated with larger commercial electricity supplies using traditional Half-Hourly (HH) meters.
Historically, many businesses with HH meters needed a separate Meter Operator Agreement, alongside their electricity supply contract. These agreements could run for several years and often included charges for meter rental, maintenance and communications equipment.
However, not every business whose electricity consumption is recorded half-hourly requires a separate MOP agreement. Modern smart metering and changes to the electricity market mean that different arrangements now apply depending on the type of meter and supply.
Larger commercial electricity supplies with traditional HH or advanced metering equipment may still require specialist metering services provided by an appointed Meter Operator.
These arrangements are particularly relevant to businesses with higher-capacity electricity connections, including sites with significant Maximum Import Capacity (MIC).
However, there is an important distinction between traditional HH meters and modern smart meters.
The important point is that half-hourly data collection does not, by itself, mean a business needs a separately charged MOP agreement.
The UK electricity market is undergoing a major change known as Market-wide Half-Hourly Settlement (MHHS).
Historically, larger business electricity supplies were settled using actual half-hourly consumption data, while many smaller businesses and domestic customers were settled using estimated consumption profiles.
MHHS is changing this by moving electricity supplies across Great Britain towards settlement based on half-hourly consumption data.
The migration process began in October 2025 and is scheduled to complete by May 2027.
However, MHHS does not mean every electricity meter must be replaced with a traditional HH meter or that every business must enter into a separate MOP agreement.
The industry is also introducing new arrangements for collecting and processing consumption data, including Smart Data Services (SDS) and Advanced Data Services (ADS), replacing elements of the previous Data Collector and Data Aggregator arrangements.
For further information, see Elexon's guidance on Market-wide Half-Hourly Settlement.
MOP charges are the costs associated with the metering services provided under the relevant agreement.
Depending on the meter and contractual arrangements, these may include:
Some businesses receive invoices directly from their Meter Operator, while others pay for these services through their electricity supplier.
Where MOP costs are included within the electricity supply contract, a separate agreement or invoice may not be necessary.
It is therefore important to establish exactly which services are included in your electricity contract before agreeing to any additional metering charges.
For many traditional commercial HH metering arrangements, businesses can choose their own Meter Operator rather than simply accepting the supplier's preferred provider.
Shopping around can be worthwhile, particularly where a business has several HH supplies or is being charged relatively high annual metering fees.
However, your ability to appoint a Meter Operator independently will depend on the type of meter, the applicable industry arrangements and the terms of your electricity supply contract.
Before entering into a separate MOP agreement, check whether:
MOP stands for Meter Operator. The operator is responsible for specified technical metering services, depending on the type of supply and applicable arrangements.
DC stands for Data Collector. Traditionally, Data Collectors have been responsible for obtaining and validating meter consumption data.
DA stands for Data Aggregator. Under the traditional settlement arrangements, Data Aggregators combine validated consumption data for use in electricity settlement.
Under MHHS, these industry arrangements are changing, with new Data Services replacing several of the traditional DC/DA functions.
Businesses may therefore encounter different terminology depending on whether their electricity supply has migrated to the new settlement arrangements.
Generally, a business with a standard SMETS smart meter should not need a separate traditional MOP agreement simply because its consumption is recorded half-hourly.
The supplier will normally manage the relevant metering arrangements through the smart metering infrastructure.
This does not mean metering services are free. The supplier will still incur costs for providing and maintaining the meter, and these may be reflected in the electricity tariff.
However, businesses should question additional MOP charges where the services are already covered by their electricity contract or where the supplier cannot explain what is being provided.
For example, if a business has a SMETS2 meter and is being charged separately for an AMR installation or maintenance agreement, it would be reasonable to ask whether that agreement remains necessary and whether the contracted services have actually been delivered.
Metering charges should be supported by an identifiable agreement and a clear explanation of the services being provided.
Occasionally, businesses discover that they have been charged for metering arrangements that were never implemented, or for services that became unnecessary following a meter replacement.
For example, a business might have agreed to an AMR installation but subsequently received a smart meter instead. If charges for the original AMR agreement continue, the customer should establish whether any services remain payable under that agreement.
If you're unsure about MOP charges appearing on your invoices, request:
Where charges have been incorrectly applied, you may have grounds to request their cancellation or a refund, depending on the contractual circumstances.
If you have a traditional HH electricity meter, your Meter Operator may be identified on a separate invoice or within your electricity supply documentation.
Alternatively, your electricity supplier should be able to confirm the appointed metering provider and explain whether those services are included within your supply contract.
Branding on the physical meter may provide a clue, but it does not necessarily identify the currently appointed Meter Operator.
For smart-metered supplies, ask your supplier to confirm the metering arrangements and whether any separate charges apply.
MOP agreements remain an important part of commercial electricity metering, particularly for larger businesses with traditional Half-Hourly meters.
However, the introduction of smart metering and Market-wide Half-Hourly Settlement means businesses should no longer assume that every supply recording half-hourly consumption needs a separate MOP contract.
The key question is simple: What am I being charged for, and am I actually receiving that service?
If your business is paying separate MOP or metering charges and you're unsure whether they're necessary, we can help review the arrangements and identify any potential overcharges.
