The Market-Wide Half-Hourly Settlement deadline has moved—but should you wait?

The way energy is used, stored, and measured is changing in the UK. October 2025 marks the launch of the Market-Wide Half-Hourly Settlement (MHHS), where all electricity meters, both domestic and commercial, will move to half-hourly readings.

This may mean you need to move to a brand-new energy meter.

In this article, we’ll talk about the different types of meters on offer, what a MOP contract is, and how Tritility can help make the move as pain-free as possible.

What is the Market-Wide Half-Hourly Settlement?

The MHHS is being rolled out by Ofgem to help modernise how we use and monitor energy in the UK.

By moving to smart metering and half-hourly readings, we can take control of our energy use and make proactive choices that will help us save energy.

The rollout was originally due to start in April 2025 and finish in October 2026. However, the rollout has now been pushed back to October 2025 and will finish in December 2026. 

This means you’ll have more time to prepare for the changes.

What Do I Have to Do to Get Ready for MHHS

If you’re already using a meter equipped to take half-hourly readings, you don’t need to do anything.

If you’re using a traditional meter that doesn’t take half-hourly readings, your energy supplier will arrange an upgrade on your behalf. This means if you’re happy for them to take the lead, all you have to do is wait for them to get in touch.

However, if you don’t want to wait until October, or you want to take advantage of the benefits that half-hourly metering offers, you can request a new meter sooner. We’ll discuss the different types of meters you can move to in the next section of this article.

Not all suppliers offer all meters, so if you want to move to a specific type of meter, you may need to change supplier. 

What Meters Can I Choose From?

There are three different types of meters that take half-hourly readings.

The first is the SMET2, or second-generation smart meter. This type of smart meter is most commonly seen in homes but is also a good choice for small businesses that don’t use a lot of energy.

Next is the half-hourly meter. This is ideal for businesses that use a lot of energy as it offers highly accurate data and billing. However, you need a MOP contract in place, which we’ll talk about later.

(If you have a maximum demand of over 100 kilo-volt-amperes (KVA), you are legally required to use a half-hourly mater.)

Finally, we have the AMR, or automated meter reading meter. This is an excellent option for large businesses with complicated energy needs, and you can even take meter readings more frequently if you need them.

Find out more about the meters on offer

What is a MOP Contract?

If you opt for a half-hourly meter, you must have a meter operator (MOP) contract in place.

A MOP contract covers the supply, maintenance and repair of your half-hourly meter, ensuring your meter always stays operational. 

MOP contracts are stand-alone agreements, independent of your energy supplier. This means that if you change suppliers, your MOP contract will still be valid.

What Are the Consequences of Not Having a Proper MOP Agreement in Place?

With MOP contracts, you have two options. You can either appoint your own meter operator or ask your energy supplier to appoint one for you.

We recommend choosing your own meter operator, as this is usually more cost-effective; energy suppliers can often add a sizable markup.

Choosing your own meter operator also gives you more flexibility. For example, the typical MOP contract lasts for five years, but you can opt for a shorter contract if you know you are going to be moving buildings soon. 

You may also want your meter operator to act as a data collector and aggregator on your behalf, collecting and processing your meter data and passing it on to your electricity supplier.

The Association of Meter Operators has a list of vetted members to get you started. If you want some recommendations, we’d be happy to suggest some meter operators who do an exceptional job.

Get Ahead of the MHHS With Tritility

Moving to a brand-new energy meter may feel like a lot of additional work, but it offers many benefits. 

You no longer have to spend time taking manual meter readings, you can ensure more accurate billing, and you can even plug your half-hourly meter readings into your energy monitoring system. 

This means a wealth of data to help you save energy at your fingertips.

If you’re not sure where to start with the Market-Wide Half-Hourly Settlement, we’re here to help. Our team of energy specialists can recommend the right meter for your business needs and put you in touch with qualified meter operators.

We can also check your existing MOP agreement to see how long your contract lasts and what penalty charges are in place if you want to change operator before your contract ends.

Get in touch today and take the first step towards half-hour energy monitoring for your business.