Because they might not have had THTC? I’m not a crystal ball and cannot predict the actions of others. Nor do I have X-Ray Vision giving me the ability to see what others have done.

OVO is not the only supplier offering THTC by the way. There just aren’t many that do.

Then it is clearly not an issue with the transmission and distribution infrastructure as you previously suggested. The issue is with the meters which is entirely OVOs responsibility.

We’ve said this before, but you should do your own, proper solid research before pointing the Finger of Blame aimlessly. It’s taken me over four years to learn what I know - and that’s four years of pretty deep research. And all of that research has been done whilst simultaneously researching other stuff, doing other volunteer roles and earning a living - I don’t get paid to do what I do here on the Forum.

The ultimate issue IS with the transmission and distribution infrastructure - there just wasn’t enough of it when THTC was created and arguably still isn’t enough now. That matter is well beyond OVO’s control. The Orkney Islands has enough eco juice capacity to potentially solve 99% of this issue, but alas the existing 40MW Interconnector is not enough to get all that juice back to the mainland. If it was upgraded, THTC could well be made a thing of the past. The absolutely bonkers amount of potential generation capacity up there could easily power an absolute ton of stuff...

Those who don’t have Storage Heaters or Immersion Heaters DO NOT have to be on THTC - but it’s also possible they’re on some other complex tariff. Without seeing all their setups, it’s impossible to comment and I cannot speculate as to what they have - nor can anyone.

There’s also the Load Managed Areas too, where THTC is far more heavily enforced…

As for the meters? It’s 100% true that OVO never had anything to do with the creation of the existing THTC Meters. That fell mostly to a company called Horstmann who are now known as Secure (the same one that does Secure branded Smart Meters) and also to the engineers of the day which would have been long before OVO was founded. Likewise, OVO cannot build the replacement Smart Meters on its own - it must rely on the authorised manufacturers to do that task. The only part OVO is responsible for in this specific context, is hooking them up to its systems and I know that this has been a huge project that’s been cooking for several years - OVO has shown me that progress directly but has asked me to keep it confidential at this time. Once the new setups go public, I’ll be able to talk about them more openly, but not before.

I stand by my word. As much as I too WANT to see THTC be totally banished, I unfortunately cannot foresee it happening anytime soon. I cannot guarantee that anyone in particular will be able to get off of THTC, neither can I make any promises about what tariff you can switch to. That is well beyond my power.

But…

I have asked OVO to come off THTC. I don’t want overnight storage heaters or any of the other “benefits” of THTC.

I want the THTC meter taken out and a standard Smart Meter put in.  It’s that simple. I am not in a Load Managed Area.

Why is this a problem? Why are OVO telling me this is not possible?

The implication of above is that the electricity I already consume via a THTC meter cannot be supplied if I change to a smart meter????

That’s absurd.
 

So, your up-to-date advice is “wait”

Well, I have news in that regard.

Just last week I spoke directly to one of my internal contacts who has given me the latest and greatest news regarding THTC of all time. I can’t release it just yet, but my contact has agreed to help me write up an article that’ll be posted on the Forum publicly soon - you’ll know when you see it.

That article… Will answer everything you want to know…

Until then, please be patient and await further updates. I’m able to act much faster than almost any team at OVO, but I still have to get that monster signed off before it can go live.

All I can say is this… It’s something I’ve wanted to say for over two years…

I can only say this now because I had the chance to speak to my contact directly when I was visiting OVO’s Bristol HQ recently. It was not guaranteed to happen until it got confirmed right before the visit, which is why I didn’t reference it previously in this thread.

So I can get off THTC finally and get a regular smart meter?

All will be revealed Soon… That’s all I can say right now.

I'll get back to waiting 

Hey @monster9,

This is our latest update on the RTS shutdown:

Update on RTS shutdown:

As part of the RTS Project development, we are really happy to share with you our progress:

As you may be aware, the RTS signal that instructs some of our meters when to move to the “Off Peak Period”  will be closing down soon and we need to arrange for all of our RTS customers to have a meter exchange so they don’t lose any of their meter functionality.

The RTS signal will end for our customers on 30 June 2025. The period between 1 July - 30 September 2025 will then be used to close-down the RTS signal and allow us to manage any unexpected customers impacted.

After a very successful pilot, from the 17th June 2024 we will begin writing to our Economy 10 RTS customers to invite them to call us to arrange for their meter exchange. 

We are continuing to work at pace to enable the same solution for the majority of our other RTS customers and our aim is to begin writing to these customers in Aug 2024. 

We will continue to update you on our progress.

Thanks for the update @Emmanuelle_OVO 

Can you clarify what will RTS be replaced by - is it a similar system or is it being done away with entirely?

For example, after the RTS shutdown, will my new meter be reliant on mobile phone signal - or is there another RTS equivalent being rolled out?

And when you say you plan to offer “same solution for the majority of our other RTS customers” does that include THTC customers?

Thanks.

Not as such, no. It depends on where you live: north of Manchester -ish, smart meters call home via long-range radio. Elsewhere, they use a dedicated network similar to mobile phone networks, so having a mast not too far away is good. There are other solutions - e.g. piggy-backing on a neighbour’s connection if he’s luckier than you. Read about smart meter communications in some detail here: Technical information on UK SMETS 2 Smart Meters 

Unfortunately, we’re not able to say just yet as we’re still gathering those details together. Once we get a 100% solid answer, we’ll be able to let you know.

“Unfortunately, we’re not able to say just yet as we’re still gathering those details together.” - Blastoise186 

I’m guessing that’s a “No” then?
Or another “Wait”?

I look forward to your “latest and greatest news regarding THTC of all time” announcement.

As we’ve said before, be patient as this stuff takes time. I cannot magic up certain things instantly unfortunately, as much as I want to that’s just not how it works.

The announcement has been 98% drafted in the Forum private spaces and is currently being reviewed. We’ll be able to tell you more once the approval is signed off.

Or if you became a Forum Volunteer, you can get access to that and much more before public release in future, without having to wait.

Just to give you some idea of expectations… My best and most powerful guides have historically taken up to a month to research, plan, draft, review and publish. I only started this one roughly a week or so ago.

This particular one will likely be one of the most powerful, impactful and critical posts I’ve EVER written on the Forum and it’s been mutually agreed backstage that I need to nail it first time. It’ll blow up the Forum once it’s out and we can’t afford silly mistakes.

If you need someone who can surgically dissect it before general publication… I’m your man.

It’s actually gone to someone internal, and apparently it’s really blowing up the office with interest. Because of how crucial it is, it’s got to be vetted by a specific team.

Thanks though

https://www.google.com/amp/s/news.sky.com/story/amp/energy-supplier-ovo-to-explore-options-including-sale-13160749

Energy supplier OVO to explore options including sale

It's now been a month since we were first told about the "exciting news". Just wondering if there is a time frame for the release of this news.....

It’s on my radar to check on

Hey @Cassie511,

Update on RTS shutdown:

As part of the RTS Project development, we are really happy to share with you our progress:

As you may be aware, the RTS signal that instructs some of our meters when to move to the “Off Peak Period”  will be closing down soon and we need to arrange for all of our RTS customers to have a meter exchange so they don’t lose any of their meter functionality.

The RTS signal will end for our customers on 30 June 2025. The period between 1 July - 30 September 2025 will then be used to close-down the RTS signal and allow us to manage any unexpected customers impacted.

After a very successful pilot, from the 17th June 2024 we will begin writing to our Economy 10 RTS customers to invite them to call us to arrange for their meter exchange. 

We are continuing to work at pace to enable the same solution for the majority of our other RTS customers and our aim is to begin writing to these customers in Aug 2024. 

We will continue to update you on our progress.

“We are continuing to work at pace to enable the same solution for the majority of our other RTS customers and our aim is to begin writing to these customers in Aug 2024”

So, those of us with THTC meters should be being contacted in the coming weeks?

I’ve had an update about the announcement article.

Long story short, the internal team that we asked to take a look has done so and some changes were made as a result - which may include some extra data that’ll help fill in the blanks. Even if it doesn’t, that stuff can always be added later since it’d only take seconds to do.

I’m waiting for the final sign-off and one or two more checks. Once those go green, it should be much closer to going live.

So, those of us with THTC meters should be being contacted in the coming weeks?

Hey @monster9,

That is right, we are continuing to work at pace to enable the same solution (meter exchange) for the majority of our other RTS customers and our aim is to begin writing to these customers in Aug 2024. 

I see however that OFGEM are running out of patience with those companies who are dragging their feet over smart meter installations and “smart” meters that don’t actually work.  They wrote to companies at the start of the year highlighting their concern on the lack of movement on this issue.  They have now opened a formal compliance notice against companies who are not meeting their obligations under the terms of their licence - including OVO.
Ofgem opens compliance engagement into British Gas, EDF, E.ON, Octopus, OVO and Scottish Power relating to smart meter obligations | Ofgem