Germany ranks last among the 25 EU countries with available smart meter data: only 5.9% of its metering points have an intelligent electricity meter, according to figures compiled by energy provider 1Komma5. The EU average is 65.6%. Romania, Greece and Bulgaria were not included because data was unavailable.
Denmark and Sweden have reached 100% coverage, while Estonia and Italy are at 99.9%. Around a dozen countries have installation rates close to full coverage. Germany’s rate is also below those of Hungary, at 9.5%, and the Czech Republic, at 8%.
Smart meters can support flexible electricity tariffs and allow consumers to be switched off selectively to ease pressure on the grid. They are particularly useful for households or businesses with large loads that can be shifted, such as heat pumps and electric cars. In Germany, installation is mandatory for households using more than 6,000 kilowatt-hours annually or with controllable electricity-consuming devices.
Meter operators were expected to install smart meters at 20% of eligible metering points by the end of 2025. However, 434 of the 800 operators covered by the figures failed to reach that threshold, and more than 40 grid areas had not installed a single meter. Germany’s Federal Network Agency plans to impose fines on operators that have not met their obligations.
The rollout has been particularly difficult for smaller operators. The 19 largest companies, each with more than 500,000 metering points, achieved an installation rate of nearly 30%. By contrast, almost 600 operators with fewer than 30,000 metering points averaged just over 19%.
The report also points to Germany’s stringent security requirements as a factor behind the slow progress. Smart meters had to be transported sealed to prevent tampering, and the devices must be capable of actively controlling consumers’ electricity use—a technical requirement that is not needed in many cases. Since the summer, households have also been able to choose a simpler “smart meter light” that only records consumption.
The low installation rate reflects broader challenges with digitising the electricity grid, the report notes. Many distribution network operators do not know how heavily their lines and transformers are being used at specific times and locations. That lack of visibility is one factor delaying connections for wind turbines, solar installations, batteries and charging stations.
Sources: t3n.