THTC / Separate Radio Teleswitch and Meter- Can I get a smart meter?

I have just been informed that the deadline to replace the radio-teleswitches on THTC tariff has been again extended, now to June/July 2025. This may be good news for OVO Energy but it isn’t for customers stuck with this phenomenally expensive tariff. What is actually happening at OVO to expedite this. 

Hi @Grapallie11 ,

Forum Volunteer here.

As mentioned previously on the Forum, this isn’t an OVO specific problem, nor one OVO created by itself - it merely inherited the problem from SSE and it’s actually a very long running industry problem that OVO is trying to help solve.

Replacing RTS Meters is a piece of cake if they’re Economy 7 - OVO has an absolute ton of experience in doing that, so if you’re in that group I’d strongly recommend booking the meter swap immediately via https://smart-booking.ovoenergy.com .

As for THTC, OVO is developing the infrastructure to handle the transition. I can request updates from my contacts but the last I heard was they’re roughly on-track to have it done before the deadline.

Thank you Blastoise186. I am aware that this isn’t a problem created by OVO. However, they were aware of what they were getting when they inherited this from SSE and have had a year or two to resolve this issue. I understand that well meaning people at OVO are working hard to resolve it but what are they actually doing; what are the infrastructure issues  that require developing. If you would be so kind as to get in touch with your contacts to find out exactly what needs to be done I will be obliged. Regards, Grapallie11.

Unfortunately, that’s the snag. I have well-placed industry contacts - and not just within OVO - but most of the THTC stuff I get from them has been placed under embargo, preventing me from saying much publicly.

I do know however, that SSE had already started to figure out a migration solution long before OVO took over - OVO was able to take that and carry on with it. If memory serves, the industry has been working on this problem for roughly 10 years at this point, for which I can back that up with this document. It must be said however, that this particular report is now a decade old - and may be slightly outdated. But it’s better than nothing.

I simply wish to move from THTC onto E7 with a smart meter. Simple; or so one would think but it can’t be done yet. Why I ask? Well it’s because of infrastructure issues. Mmmmmm!!!! And that’s the frustration.

Other energy suppliers won’t touch it either when they see the MPAN17 numbers. So I’m stuck for now along with many others.

It’s not always that simple I’m afraid.

If you’re in a Load Managed Area, you cannot come off of THTC unless you’re willing to get rid of ALL Storage Heaters and Immersion Heaters and migrate to some other heating/hot water setup.

Your DNO should be able to tell you if you are in one or not.

Hi @Grapallie11,

I’m really sorry to hear this. It seems Blastoise186 has already made some good points here. Unfortunately, we’re currently limited in how we can help with this here.

It might be worth contacting our specially trained team who deal with these THTC set ups, as they may be able to give some more advice. You’d be able to contact them by calling our Support team from the contact number listed on your account. They’d be able to transfer you through.

This thread may also be useful:

We are not in a load managed area and still cannot get rid of the THTC meters....or so we have been told for the last 3 years.  I look at Octopus agile prices and wish we could move.   I completely agree with the comments regarding being stuck with an expensive tariff with NO possibility of moving supplier. 

Good for you Cassie11 for your comments. I don't want to be stuck with this tariff for any longer than necessary. I have spoken with numerous advisors at OVO and, whilst I'm sure that they are being as helpful as they can, they're limited in what they can say. A common phrase being used often is 'It's because of infrastructure issues'. OK then OVO, please inform customers exactly what these issues are; you must know. I will have another go at the Support Team and see where that takes us but I'm not holding any breath. 

If you’re talking about THTC, the raw truth is that the industry doesn’t yet have a Smart Meter ready that’s THTC enabled. OVO is making progress on it though - but word on the street is that everyone else is fighting over how it should be done.

Out of all the solutions I know of, the one OVO is developing seems to make the most sense. Either way, you’ll need one before you can even think about coming off of THTC. It’s either that, or you re-wire your entire house at great expense to yourself - and OVO cannot reimburse you for that.