If you have a Half Hourly Meter for your electricity, you are required to pay Meter Operator Charges. But what are they? Why do you have to pay them and how are they calculated? In this article we explain how Half Hourly Meter Operator Charges work.
Your Meter Operator (MOP) installs and maintains your Half Hourly Meter. They’re responsible for fixing any technical issues and replacing your meter in the event of a fault. Your agreement with them is outlined in a MOP contract, which also outlines the agreed Meter Operator Charges – i.e. what you pay them to maintain your meter.
MOP contracts typically last five years, but can be vary in length. Some businesses opt for contracts lasting up to 10 years, as longer contracts can be more cost effective.
Your MOP contract is separate from your energy supply contract. There are two ways a MOP contract can come about:
- By choosing your own Meter Operator and contracting with them, or;
- By allowing your supplier to assign you a Meter Operator by default
If your businesses has a Half Hourly Meter, you will be charged for MOP services regardless of whether you contract an operator yourself. If you don’t contract a Meter Operator, charges will appear on your monthly bills, and are likely to be more expensive. If you have selected your own Meter Operator, you will usually be billed separately.
If you use a third party to procure your energy contracts, they will be able to advise you on your options around choosing a Meter Operator. At Tritility, we help our customers to understand the charges and choose the best value MOP contract.
You can find out who your Meter Operator is by contacting either your supplier, or the consultancy that procured your energy contracts.
In addition to your MOP Charges, you may also notice Data Collector (DC) and Data Aggregator (DA) Charges on your electricity bill.
The ‘Data Collector’ is responsible for recording how much energy you use, while the ‘Data Aggregator’ verifies and processes this usage data, which ultimately determines how much energy you are billed for. As a Half Hourly Meter customer, you are required to pay a fee for these services.
Like your Meter Operator, you can appoint your own Data Collector. If you don’t, your supplier will do this for you.
The amount you’ll pay in MOP charges will vary according to factors such as who your Meter Operator is and the length of your contract. They can reach up to around £600 per year but may be significantly less than this.
If you’re concerned you may be paying more than you need to, it’s worth exploring your options. If you contracted your energy through a third party, speak to your account manager, who will be able to advise you. Alternatively, speak to your supplier. If you’re on a ‘default’ MOP contract – i.e. one that your supplier has assigned to you – you’re more likely to be paying over the odds.
If you’re a Tritility client and would like more information about your Meter Operator Charges, we’ll be happy to help. Get in touch with your Account Manager.
If you’re not yet a Tritility client and would like to find out how much we could save you on your energy, get in touch with our team of experts.