UK non-commodity charge · Settlement and smart metering · Gas
DCC smart metering charges (gas)
Latest published rate, who sets it, and where it is forecast to go.
What DCC smart metering charges (gas) is, who sets the rate, what the revenue funds and where it is heading. Rates come from the Purely Energy non-commodity cost data hub; forecasts are our own.
DCC smart metering charges (gas): what it is, who charges it, and what it pays for
What it is
The DCC smart metering charges (gas) charge in plain English
Smart meter communications levy for gas meters. Covers the Data Communications Company's costs of connecting your gas smart meter to the wireless network. Rising as more gas smart meters are installed.
Introduced 2013 (Smart Meters Act).
Who charges it
The body that sets the rate
DCC (passed through by gas suppliers)
Unit
p/kWh
Applies to
Smart-metered gas supplies
What it pays for
Where the revenue ends up
Smart meter communication infrastructure for gas metering
Published rate history
| Financial year | Rate | Year on year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020/21 | 0.00200p/kWh | - | Published |
| 2021/22 | 0.00250p/kWh | +25.0% | Published |
| 2022/23 | 0.00300p/kWh | +20.0% | Published |
| 2023/24 | 0.00350p/kWh | +16.7% | Published |
| 2024/25 | 0.00400p/kWh | +14.3% | Published |
| 2025/26 | 0.00450p/kWh | +12.5% | Published |
Forecast trajectory
Forecasts from our non-commodity cost model. P10, P50 and P90 are the 10th, 50th and 90th percentile outcomes; P50 is the central estimate.
| Year | P10 | P50 | P90 | Confidence | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | - | 0.00500 | - | - | |
| 2026-27 | 0.0380 | 0.0416 | 0.0450 | med | Based on current price control framework with moderate regulatory uncertainty |
| 2027 | - | 0.00520 | - | - | |
| 2027-28 | 0.0320 | 0.0355 | 0.0390 | med | Infrastructure completion phase with established efficiency targets |
| 2028 | - | 0.00550 | - | - | |
| 2028-29 | 0.0330 | 0.0369 | 0.0410 | med | Customer base decline begins affecting unit costs |
| 2029 | - | 0.00570 | - | - | |
| 2029-30 | 0.0340 | 0.0385 | 0.0430 | med | Technology refresh costs emerge alongside customer base erosion |
| 2030 | - | 0.00580 | - | - | |
| 2030-31 | 0.0350 | 0.0395 | 0.0450 | med | Methodology decision impact becomes clear with continued customer decline |
| 2031 | - | 0.00592 | - | - | |
| 2031-32 | 0.0360 | 0.0425 | 0.0500 | low | Regulatory framework uncertain beyond current price control period |
| 2032 | - | 0.00603 | - | - | |
| 2032-33 | 0.0380 | 0.0458 | 0.0550 | low | Hydrogen policy and customer base trajectory highly uncertain |
| 2033 | - | 0.00616 | - | - | |
| 2033-34 | 0.0370 | 0.0458 | 0.0560 | low | Long-term gas market structure depends on net-zero policy implementation |
| 2034 | - | 0.00628 | - | - | |
| 2034-35 | 0.0390 | 0.0490 | 0.0600 | low | Multiple regulatory and technology uncertainties compound over time |
DCC smart metering charges (gas) FAQs
What is the DCC smart metering charges (gas) charge?
Smart meter communications levy for gas meters. Covers the Data Communications Company's costs of connecting your gas smart meter to the wireless network. Rising as more gas smart meters are installed.
Who sets the DCC smart metering charges (gas) rate?
The DCC smart metering charges (gas) rate is set by DCC (passed through by gas suppliers).
What does DCC smart metering charges (gas) pay for?
DCC smart metering charges (gas) revenue supports Smart meter communication infrastructure for gas metering.
What is the latest published DCC smart metering charges (gas) rate?
For 2025/26, the published DCC smart metering charges (gas) rate is 0.00450 p/kWh.
What is the DCC smart metering charges (gas) forecast?
Our latest forecast for 2026-27 is 0.0416 p/kWh (med confidence). Based on current price control framework with moderate regulatory uncertainty
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Rate data from the Purely Energy non-commodity cost data hub (dh.purelyenergy.co.uk). Published rates come from statutory publications by the body listed above; forecasts are modelled from published guidance and market trends, so treat P50 as a central estimate and use P10/P90 for sensitivity.