Half-Hourly Meter Upgrades

A half-hourly meter records electricity use in each 30-minute settlement period, giving 48 readings a day, and sends the data remotely, usually every day. That data is what your supplier uses to bill you and what you can use to understand your costs.

We help businesses work out whether a site needs a half-hourly meter, arrange the upgrade through the supplier and metering agent, and chase the problem when a meter stops sending data.

When a site needs a half-hourly meter

A site must be half-hourly metered and settled if its maximum demand is over 100 kW in any half-hour. This is a demand threshold measured in kW, not an annual kWh figure, which is a common misconception. Our guide to the 100 kW rule for half-hourly meters explains how to check.

Other sites became half-hourly under P272, which moved profile class 05 to 08 sites to half-hourly settlement from April 2017. Some businesses move voluntarily for better data, and MHHS is moving every meter in Great Britain to half-hourly settlement.

HH, AMR and CT meters explained

• Half-hourly (HH) meter: records consumption in every 30-minute period for settlement and billing.
• AMR meter: an automated meter reading meter that sends readings remotely, removing the need for manual reads.
• CT meter: a current transformer meter, used on larger supplies where the current is too high to pass directly through the meter.

For a fuller comparison, see HH and non-half-hourly metering compared.

What we check

• The profile class on the top line of your MPAN (00 means half-hourly)
• Your maximum demand and Agreed Supply Capacity
• The type of meter installed and how it communicates
• Who your meter operator is, known under MHHS as the Metering Service Advanced (MSA)
• Site access and anything the engineer will need on the day
• Whether your supply contract needs to change once the site is half-hourly

Meter communication faults

If a half-hourly meter stops communicating, the data service cannot collect your readings and consumption is estimated. Left unresolved, this can mean months of bills that don't reflect what you used. We raise the fault with the supplier and meter operator, chase a site visit where needed and check that estimates are replaced with real data. Our metering and data service contracts page explains who is responsible for what.

Upgrades and MHHS

Under MHHS, suppliers are migrating every meter in Great Britain to half-hourly settlement, with Elexon's plan setting a full migration deadline of May 2027. For most sites with a working half-hourly or AMR meter, migration happens in the background. Sites with older or faulty meters may need attention first, and it is better to find that out early than to discover it through estimated bills.

Who this service suits

This service suits businesses whose demand is approaching or above 100 kW, sites adding heavy equipment, EV chargers or batteries, businesses that want better data from an older meter, and any site with a meter that keeps losing communication.

How it works

1. Send us a bill. We check your MPAN, profile class and current meter details.
2. We assess the site. Using your data and bills, we confirm whether an upgrade is required or worthwhile.
3. We arrange the work. We liaise with your supplier and metering agent to book the installation.
4. We check the data. After installation, we confirm data is flowing and bills are based on actual readings.
5. We review your contract. If the site's metering changes, we check your half-hourly electricity contract still fits.

Talk to us about your meter

Not sure whether your site needs an upgrade, or tired of estimated bills? Get free advice and a quote or call 07565 147 170 and we'll look at your meter set-up with you.