More than 94,000 prepayment meters were installed in homes in Britain using warrants and without customer consent in 2022, the government said on Monday, adding that British Gas, Scottish Power and OVO Energy made up 70% of the forced installations.
In February UK energy regulator Ofgem asked all energy suppliers to stop the forced installation of prepayment meters in people’s homes, and instigated an urgent investigation into suppliers over such practices.
Prepayment meters allow customers to pay for gas and electricity on a pay-as-you-go basis.
However, some suppliers obtained court warrants to break into the homes of customers who had fallen behind on their bills to install prepayment meters, meaning they could have their heating cut off if they did not pay.
An unprecedented surge in energy prices has left many households facing significant energy bills and debt.
In 2022, British Gas, Scottish Power and OVO Energy forcibly installed 66,187 prepayment metres under warrant, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) said.
The three utilities were not immediately available for comment when contacted by email by Reuters.
Scottish Power was the worst offender when taking into account their customer base, according to BEIS, force fitting more than 24,300 meters.
British Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Today’s figures give a clear and horrifying picture of just how widespread the forced installation of prepayment meters had become, with last year seeing an average of over 7,500 force-fitted a month.”
He called on companies to focus on compensating those customers mistreated through this practice.
British Gas owner Centrica, Scottish Power and OVO Energy were not immediately available to comment.
