Before 2029, network operators must replace the electricity meter with more than 2.7 million households. But at the current pace, the question is whether all meters were changed on time. Experts call the plans unrealistic and unfeasible.
Next year the new energy law will start. That law obliges anyone who still has an old -fashioned electricity meter with turntable to switch to a digital meter or to a smart electricity meter. Figures from Netbeheer Nederland show that at the beginning of this year there was such an old meter with more than half a million households.
In addition, network operators must also replace more than 2.2 million smart meters before the beginning of 2029. This is necessary because these meters send the meter readings via a so-called GPRS connection. That is a data connection via the old-fashioned GSM network of KPN or Vodafone. Those networks still date from the nineties. The providers want to completely release their old mobile networks at the latest in 2029.
Since 2024, 300,000 electricity meters have been replaced, a spokesperson for Netbeheer Nederland against Nu.nl states. According to him, the fact that another 2.7 million meters have to be replaced in the coming years is feasible. “It is included in the work package, so manpower and materials are planned for it.”
The required replacement operation is according to a high -ranking initiate with network operators on the radar. But according to him, that operation is so great that it is unfeasible in the time that stands for. “This is a huge problem, but there is ostrich policy.”
Replacing 2.7 million meters in 3.5 years is ‘unrealistic’
Experts also call the replacement of 2.7 million electricity meters “unrealistic” in less than 3.5 years. “A technician is replacing a meter for at least an hour,” explains independent energy expert Dennis van der Meij from Solar-engineering.nl. “That means that network operators need at least 2.7 million man -hours to replace all those meters and from now on have to change more than 17,500 meters every week.”
But that is not the case. “Mechanics also have to drive to the people. The meters must be ordered, checked and tested. And the replacement must be planned. You all need people for that,” adds energy expert Jeroen Bakker from the Energiewebsite Jeroen.nl. “This way the replacement of one meter can quickly cost a total of five man -hours.”
According to Bakker, network operators already have difficulty finding qualified staff to expand the power grid. “Mechanics who are used for changing electricity meters cannot be used to make the much needed expansion of the electricity grid. So network operators really have to make choices.”
Old meters are in the way of energy transition
The fact that old electricity meters can no longer be able to send meter readings from 2029 is considerably in the way of the energy transition, say experts. “Without working smart meter it is not possible to conclude a dynamic energy contract,” says Bakker. “If people have to conclude a permanent contract soon because their meter no longer functions, those people no longer have an incentive to steer their energy consumption on the availability of electricity.”
The latter is so important for the energy transition. Because more and more electricity is generated sustainably, there are peaks and troughs in the availability of electricity. Bakker: “With a dynamic contract you give people a financial incentive to use energy if it is available and to limit consumption if electricity is scarce.”
Dynamic energy contracts have been on the rise in recent years. Around 7 percent of all Dutch households already have a dynamic energy contract, market research agency Multiscope calculates.
Dynamic contracts are especially popular among solar panel owners and owners of electric cars with smart charging points, Bakker confirms. He expects that in the coming years more and more households will switch to a dynamic energy contract.
KPN holds 2G network longer in the air for electricity meters
Both the National Service Service Digital Infrastructure (RDI) and the Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM) make it known that the network with which many smart meters communicate is phased out, spokespersons of both instances confirm. The RDI points to KPN and Vodafone. “They will be in contact with their customers at those networks to discuss a phasing out and any alternatives,” says a spokesperson.
The ACM has asked KPN and Vodafone to investigate which business users must replace large -scale equipment due to the switch -off of networks, according to a report from 2024. The supervisor requested the providers to consider these users to use the network in question for a limited longer time.
KPN has responded to this. At the end of 2027, the provider closes the GSM network for private customers. KPN then keeps a small part of that network in the air until 1 January 2029 specifically for smart meters, the company confirms NU.nl.
Vodafone has not yet recorded a definitive end date on which the GSM network is switched off. According to a spokesperson, the network remains “at least until the end of 2026” in the air. The provider indicates that he is in conversation with users of the network about the phasing out and the consequences thereof, but could not make specific statements about the support for smart electricity meters.
Network Operators Must Replace the Electricity Meter in More Than 2.7 Million Households by 2029. But at the Current Rate, It is Questionable Whether All Meters Will Be replaced on time. Experts Call the Plans Unreistic and Unfeasible.
The New Energy Law Will Come Into Effect Next Year. That law requests everyone who still has an old-fashioned electricity meter with a rotary disk to switch to a digital meter or a smart electricity meter. Figures from Netbeheer Nederland Show that at the beginning of this year, more than half a million households still had such an old meter.
In Addition, Network Operators Must also Replace More Than 2.2 Million Smart Meters by the Beginning of 2029. This is Necessary because these meters Send the Meter readings via a so-called GPRS Connection. That is a Data Connection via the Old-Fashioned GSM Network or KPN or Vodafone. These Networks date back to the 1990s. The providers because to complete shut down their old GSM Networks by 2029 at the latest.
Accordance to a spokesperson for Netbeheer Nederland to NU.nl, 300,000 Electricity meters have already leg replaced Since 2024. Accordance to him, it is feasible that another 2.7 Million meters will have to be replaced in the Coming Years. “It is included in the work package, so manpower and materials are planned for it.”
The Necessary Replacement Operation is on the Radar, Accordance to a High-Ranking Insider at Network Operators. But accordance to him, that operation is so large that it is unfeasible in the time available. “This is a huge problem, but ostrich politics are bar.”
Replacing 2.7 Million Meters In 3.5 Years is ‘Unrealistic’
Experts also call replacing 2.7 Million Electricity meters in Less Than 3.5 years “Unrealistic.” “A Mechanic Spends at Least An Hour Replacing A Meter,” Explains Independent Energy Expert Dennis van der Meij or Solar-engineering.nl. “That mean that Network Operators Need at Least 2.7 Million Man-Hours to Replace All Those Meters and Must Exchange More than 17,500 meters Every week from Now on.”
But it Doesn’t Stop there. “Mechanics also have to drive to the people. The meters have to be ordered, checked and tested. And the replacement has to be planned. You need people for all that,” Adds energy expert Jeroen Bakker from the energy website jeroen.nl. “Replacing one meter can quickly cost a total of five man-gours.”
Accordance to Bakker, Network Operators Are Already Having Difficulty Finding Qualified Personnel to Expand The Electricity Grid. “Mechanics who are deployed to replicity meters cannot be deployed on the much-needed expansion of the electricity grid. Network Operators Really to Make Choices.”
Old Meters Are Hinding The Energy Transition
The Fact That Old Electricity Meters Will No Longer Be Able To Send Meter Readings From 2029 is Significantly Nuisance The Energy Transition, Experts Say. “Without a working smart meter, it is not Possible to take out a dynamic energy contract,” Says Bakker. “If people have to take out a fixed contract in the future because no -longer functions, those people will also no longer have an incentive to adjusting energy consumption to the availability of electricity.”
The Latter is so important for the energy transition. Becoaus More and More Electricity is Generated Sustainable, There Are Peaks and Troughs in the Availability of Electricity. Bakker: “With a dynamic contract, you give people a financial incentive to use energy when it is available and to limit consumption when electricity is carce.”
Dynamic Energy Contracts Have Become Increasingly Popular in Recent Years. About 7 percent of all Dutch households already Have a Dynamic Energy Contract, Estimates Market Research Agency Multiscope.
Dynamic Contracts Are Participularly Popular Among Solar Panel Owners and Owners of Electric Cars With Smart Charging Stations, Confirms Bakker. He expects that more and more households will switch to a dynamic energy contract in the coming years.
KPN Keeps 2G Network in the Air Longer for Electricity meters
Both the National Service Digital Infrastructure (RDI) and the Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM) Are aware that the Network with which many smart meters communicate is Being Phased Out, Confirm Spokespersons from Both Authorities. The RDI Points to KPN and Vodafone. “They will contact their customs on those networks to discuss a phasing-out plan and any alternatives,” Says a Spokesperson.
The ACM HAS Asked KPN and Vodafone to Investigate which business users have to replace Large-Scale Equipment Due to the Decommissioning of Networks, Accordance to A 2024 Report. The Regulator Requested the Providers to Consider the Possibility of Allowing These Users to Continue Using the Relevant Network for a Limited Longer Period of Time for a Fee.
KPN HAS RESPONDED TO THIS. The Provider Will Close the GSM Network for Private Customers at the End of 2027. KPN Will then Keep A Small Part of that Network in the Air Until January 1, 2029 Specifically for Smart Meters, The Company Vrirms To Nu.nl.
Vodafone has not yet set a definitive end date on which the GSM Network will be switched off. Accordance to a spokesperson, The Network Willain in the Air “At Least Until the End of 2026.” The Provider Indicates That It is in Discussion with Users of the Network about the Phasing Out and the Consequences Thereof, But Could Not Make Any Specific Statements about the Support for Smart Electricity meters.