The energy firms EDF, Octopus and Scottish Power can once again force-fit prepayment meters after meeting conditions set by Ofgem.
Last year, the regulator asked that these types of installations for paying back debt be paused. This was because of concerns about the behaviour of suppliers installing them in households.
During this time,Ofgem set out rules in our voluntary Code of Practice that all suppliers signed up to. The conditions set out in the Code have now been moved into the standard gas and electricity licences. All energy suppliers have to follow them.
The option to install a prepayment meter in households should only be considered if other ways to support customers, such as agreement to a repayment plan to help manage debt have not worked out. If you are struggling to pay your energy bill or think you will struggle, you should contact your energy supplier as soon possible to get support.
Scottish Power, EDF and Octopus are the first energy suppliers that have met the strict new conditions and are ready to start installing prepayment meters without the household’s permission after they chose to pause these types of installations last year.
