Meter Operator
What is a Meter Operator (MOP)?
A Meter Operator, almost always shortened to MOP, is the UK industry party responsible for the physical installation, maintenance, and replacement of electricity meters. The MOP is the electricity equivalent of the Meter Asset Manager (MAM) on the gas side. For the typical UK small business on a non-half-hourly profile, the MOP is invisible — bundled into the standing charge, never directly invoiced, never thought about. The moment a site goes half-hourly (HH), or sits above the AMR threshold, the MOP becomes a separate contract with its own fees, its own service expectations, and its own scope for getting wrong.
The MOP relationship sits alongside, not inside, your business electricity supply contract. It’s about who owns the meter hardware and is part of the wider meter installation landscape.
On this page
Understanding the MOP role matters most for businesses with half-hourly metered sites and larger non-half-hourly portfolios. The supplier-bundled MOP arrangement is fine for small sites; for larger ones, the contract structure, fees and service all change materially.
The role of the MOP
The MOP is responsible for everything physical relating to the electricity meter:
- Installation when the supply is first energised.
- Routine maintenance over the meter's operating life.
- Replacement at end of life or when faulty.
- Removal when the supply is decommissioned.
- For half-hourly sites: installation and maintenance of the data communications equipment (modem, SIM card, GSM/router) needed to transmit half-hourly data.
The MOP does not handle the data itself — that is the Data Collector and Data Aggregator's job. The MOP delivers and maintains the kit; others read it.
Who appoints the MOP
Two appointment models exist:
- Supplier-appointed (bundled). The energy supplier has framework MOP contracts with one or more operators and appoints one as part of the supply contract. The MOP fee is bundled into the standing charge. This is the default for almost all non-half-hourly sites.
- Customer-appointed (separate). The customer signs a direct MOP contract independent of the energy supplier. The MOP fee is invoiced separately. This is common for larger half-hourly portfolios where direct contracts deliver better pricing and service.
The choice typically depends on portfolio size, not on regulation. There is no obligation to appoint your own MOP; it is a commercial decision.
MOP fees
Annual MOP fees vary by meter type and size:
| Meter type | Typical annual MOP fee |
|---|---|
| Non-half-hourly (NHH) standard | Bundled in standing charge |
| NHH with AMR (automated reads) | £60–£150 |
| Half-hourly LV (low voltage) site | £300–£900 |
| HH with multiple CTs and complex metering | £900–£2,500 |
| Larger industrial HH with HV (high voltage) | £1,500–£6,000 |
Direct-contract MOP fees are typically 20 to 40 per cent lower than supplier-bundled rates for the same site, which is why larger portfolios usually contract direct.
Customer-appointed MOPs
For half-hourly portfolios above 10 to 20 sites, customer-appointed MOP contracts make sense. The advantages:
- Lower cost. Direct contract pricing without supplier mark-up.
- Service choice. Pick a MOP whose service standards match the portfolio's needs (response times, fault resolution, data quality).
- Continuity across supplier switches. When you switch supplier, the MOP contract stays in place — no service disruption.
- Better visibility. Direct invoicing makes MOP costs explicit and benchmarkable.
The trade-off is administrative: a second supplier relationship to manage, separate invoices, separate service queries. For larger portfolios this overhead is comfortably outweighed by the savings.
MOP vs MAM (gas)
| Function | MOP (electricity) | MAM (gas) |
|---|---|---|
| Installs meters | Yes | Yes |
| Maintains meters | Yes | Yes |
| Replaces meters at end of life | Yes | Yes |
| Manages data communications hardware | For HH sites | For DM sites |
| Customer or supplier appointed | Both possible | Both possible |
| Regulator | Ofgem | Ofgem |
The two roles mirror each other across fuels. Many businesses with both electricity and gas portfolios use parallel direct contracts with a MOP and a MAM rather than letting the suppliers handle both.
What the MOP service includes
A typical MOP contract covers:
- Initial installation and commissioning.
- Routine maintenance visits (frequency varies by meter type — typically annual for HH, less for NHH).
- Replacement of the meter at end of life or following a fault.
- Response to fault calls, with target service levels (e.g., 24-hour response for HH sites).
- Calibration checks where required.
- Removal at decommissioning.
The contract does not normally cover physical damage from third parties, vandalism, or repairs to wiring downstream of the meter — those are the customer's or installer's responsibility.
Changing MOP
For customer-appointed contracts, switching MOP is administrative rather than physical:
- Sign the new MOP contract.
- Provide the new MOP with the MPAN(s) covered.
- The new MOP submits a Change of MOP flow through industry data systems.
- The previous MOP is notified and the relationship transfers on the agreed date.
- The physical meter does not change. The new MOP takes over service responsibility for the existing equipment.
The process typically takes 2 to 6 weeks. There is no service interruption to the supply during the transfer.
MOPs across HH portfolios
For UK businesses with multiple half-hourly sites, the standard approach is:
- One MOP contract covering the whole portfolio for consistent service standards.
- Service SLAs negotiated for fault response, planned maintenance windows, and data availability.
- Annual or bi-annual MOP cost reviews benchmarking against market.
- Coordinated changes when a site is added, removed, or modified.
Related concepts: the MPAN that identifies each electricity meter, what makes a meter half-hourly, and how the Data Collector and Data Aggregator work alongside the MOP.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Meter Operator (MOP)?
The UK industry party responsible for installing, maintaining, and replacing electricity meters. The MOP is the electricity equivalent of the Meter Asset Manager (MAM) on the gas side.
Do I need a MOP for my business?
Every UK electricity supply has a MOP. For small non-half-hourly sites it is appointed by the supplier and bundled into the standing charge. For half-hourly sites the MOP becomes a separate contract.
How much does a MOP cost?
Bundled into the standing charge for typical small sites. Direct contracts range from £60–£150 per year for NHH with AMR up to £6,000+ for high-voltage industrial sites with complex metering.
Should I appoint my own MOP?
For half-hourly portfolios above 10 to 20 sites, customer-appointed MOPs typically save 20 to 40 per cent against supplier-bundled rates and improve service continuity across supplier switches. For smaller sites, supplier-bundled is fine.
What is the difference between a MOP and a supplier?
The supplier sells you the energy. The MOP installs and maintains the meter that measures it. Two separate roles, sometimes commercially bundled by the supplier but always operationally distinct.
What is the difference between a MOP and a MAM?
MOP is the role on electricity meters; MAM is the equivalent on gas meters. Both install and maintain meters but cover different fuels.
Can I change my MOP?
Yes, on customer-appointed contracts. The new MOP submits a Change of MOP flow through industry systems and the relationship transfers in 2 to 6 weeks. The physical meter does not change; service responsibility transfers.
Will switching MOP affect my supply?
No. The physical supply is unaffected. Only the service contract for the meter changes. There is no interruption to electricity at the site during the transfer.
Who installs my smart meter, the supplier or the MOP?
The MOP, on instruction from the supplier. The supplier arranges the appointment; the MOP carries out the physical work using qualified engineers.
What does the MOP fee on my bill cover?
Installation, maintenance, replacement at end of life, fault response, and removal. For half-hourly sites it also covers the communications hardware (modem, SIM, antenna) that transmits half-hourly data.
Is the Data Collector the same as the MOP?
No. The MOP looks after the meter equipment. The Data Collector reads and validates the data from the meter. The Data Aggregator passes the validated data to the supplier for billing. Three separate roles, often held by different companies.
How long does a MOP contract last?
Typical terms are 1 to 5 years. Larger portfolios negotiate multi-year contracts with regular benchmarking clauses. Shorter terms allow quicker response to market price changes but more frequent renegotiation.