What is Market-wide Half-Hourly Settlement (MHHS)? MOA, SDS & ADS Explained

If you’ve recently come across terms such as MOA, SDS or ADS in relation to your business energy supply, you may be wondering what they mean and why the familiar acronyms MOP, DC and DA are changing.

These changes form part of Market-wide Half-Hourly Settlement (MHHS), one of the biggest reforms to the UK electricity market in recent years. While the new terminology may seem confusing at first, the changes are designed to support a smarter, more flexible electricity system that makes better use of half-hourly energy data.

In this guide, we’ll explain what MHHS is, why these acronym changes are happening, and what they mean for UK businesses.

What is Market-wide Half-Hourly Settlement (MHHS)?

Market-wide Half-Hourly Settlement (MHHS) is an industry-wide programme that changes how electricity consumption is settled across Great Britain.

Traditionally, many business electricity customers have been billed and settled using estimated consumption profiles rather than actual usage data. MHHS moves the industry towards using half-hourly meter readings, creating a more accurate picture of when electricity is consumed.

By improving settlement accuracy, MHHS aims to:

• Improve the efficiency of the electricity market.
• Support the transition to a smarter, more flexible energy system.
• Encourage innovation in energy products and services.
• Help businesses better understand their electricity consumption.
• Support the UK’s journey towards Net Zero.

For businesses with half-hourly meters or smart meters, these changes will become increasingly relevant as suppliers and industry participants adopt the new framework.

You can read more about how half-hourly metering can help improve energy visibility and reduce costs in our article “How Half Hourly Metering Can Help You Cut Your Usage”.

Why are the industry acronyms changing?

As part of MHHS, several existing industry roles are being renamed to better reflect their responsibilities within the modern electricity market.

While many of the day-to-day services remain similar, the updated terminology aligns with the new data-driven settlement process.

The three key acronym changes are:

• MOP becomes MOA
• DC becomes SDS
• DA becomes ADS

Let’s look at each one in more detail.

MOP becomes MOA (Metering Operations Agent)

Previously known as the Meter Operator (MOP), this role is now referred to as the Metering Operations Agent (MOA).

The MOA remains responsible for:

• Installing electricity meters.
• Maintaining metering equipment.
• Carrying out meter exchanges.
• Ensuring meters continue operating correctly.

For most businesses, the services provided remain largely unchanged; the update is primarily a change in terminology under the MHHS framework.

DC becomes SDS (Smart Data Service)

The former Data Collector (DC) role is becoming the Smart Data Service (SDS).

The SDS is responsible for collecting and validating electricity consumption data from smart and advanced meters before it enters the settlement process.

The updated name reflects the growing importance of high-quality smart meter data within the new settlement arrangements.

DA becomes ADS (Advanced Data Service)

The Data Aggregator (DA) role is now known as the Advanced Data Service (ADS).

ADS providers aggregate validated consumption data so it can be used accurately within the electricity settlement system.

Although the name has changed, the underlying objective remains the same: ensuring settlement data is accurate, reliable and fit for purpose.

What does MHHS mean for businesses?

For most businesses, Market-wide Half-Hourly Settlement (MHHS) will not require immediate action.

However, you are likely to begin seeing the new terminology in:

• Energy supplier communications.
• Metering documentation.
• Industry reports.
• Contract paperwork.
• Energy management discussions.

Businesses with multiple sites, significant electricity consumption or complex energy portfolios may benefit from understanding these changes, particularly when reviewing energy contracts or discussing metering services.

Working with an experienced business energy procurement consultancy can help ensure your organisation understands industry developments while identifying opportunities to improve energy efficiency and manage costs.

How MHHS supports smarter energy management

The move to half-hourly settlement isn’t simply about changing industry terminology.

Better quality energy data allows businesses to:

• Gain greater visibility of electricity consumption.
• Identify opportunities to reduce energy waste.
• Improve energy management, monitoring and reporting.
• Support sustainability and carbon reduction initiatives.
• Make more informed procurement decisions.

As businesses increasingly focus on reducing costs and improving operational efficiency, access to more accurate consumption data will become increasingly valuable. You can read more on smarter energy management in our article “Can Smart Meters For Business Help Me Make Business Energy Savings?”

Frequently Asked Questions

What does MHHS stand for?

MHHS stands for Market-wide Half-Hourly Settlement, a major reform of the UK electricity market that uses half-hourly consumption data to improve the accuracy of electricity settlement.

What does MOA stand for?

MOA stands for Metering Operations Agent. It replaces the former Meter Operator (MOP) terminology under the MHHS programme.

What is SDS?

SDS stands for Smart Data Service and replaces the previous Data Collector (DC) role.

What is ADS?

ADS stands for Advanced Data Service and replaces the former Data Aggregator (DA) role.

Will MHHS affect my business?

Most businesses won’t need to take immediate action. However, understanding MHHS will help you interpret supplier communications, metering documentation and future changes within the UK electricity market.

How Tritility can help

Keeping up with changes in the energy industry can be challenging, particularly when new terminology and market reforms are introduced.

At Tritility, our experts help businesses understand changes such as Market-wide Half-Hourly Settlement (MHHS) while providing tailored advice on business energy procurement, energy management and monitoring, utility contract management and Net Zero support.

If you have any questions about MHHS, half-hourly metering or your business energy strategy, get in touch with Tritility and our team will be happy to help.