Centrica has selected Chameleon Technology as a strategic technology partner for in-home display devices in its smart meter programme, adding supply capacity for the next phase of the UK rollout.
Chameleon will supply in-home display devices to support Centrica’s smart meter deployment commitments and strengthen resilience in its supply chain. The appointment follows a tender process and comes as energy suppliers continue work on the government-backed installation programme across Great Britain.
Used alongside smart meters, in-home displays show households real-time information about energy consumption. Suppliers and meter providers have increasingly positioned these devices as a way to improve customer engagement with energy use and spending, particularly as the rollout shifts from initial installation targets to wider use of consumption data.
According to Chameleon, more than 20 million people in Great Britain currently have access to one of its in-home displays. That represents more than a third of households and gives the company a sizeable presence in the domestic smart energy market.
The partnership gives Centrica another supplier as it broadens its procurement base for smart metering equipment. Large utility groups have faced pressure to maintain installation volumes while avoiding disruption in a market shaped by technical standards, logistics demands and customer service expectations.
Gareth Openshaw, Asset Finance and Metering Director at Centrica Business, outlined the rationale for the deal.
“At Centrica, we continually seek opportunities to diversify our supply chain. Working with Chameleon Technology provides us with additional support for large-scale smart meter deployment, delivering tools that help customers better understand and manage their energy use,” said Openshaw.
For Chameleon, the agreement extends a business built around household energy data and smart devices. The Harrogate-based company has operated in the sector since 2010, supplying products designed to make smart meter data easier for consumers to understand.
Its in-home displays show live usage and cost information directly from installed smart meters, allowing households to track changes in consumption throughout the day. The company also offers related data services and a consumer app, reflecting a broader market shift towards combining physical devices with digital energy management tools.
Rollout focus
The UK smart meter programme has been running for years, with suppliers tasked with replacing traditional gas and electricity meters with connected devices that send readings automatically. The latest stage of the rollout has placed greater emphasis on customer engagement and helping households make practical use of the data those meters produce.
That has kept in-home displays relevant even as suppliers expand mobile apps and online account tools. While digital channels can present richer information, display devices remain an accessible option for many consumers because they provide immediate visibility of usage in the home without requiring a smartphone or computer.
Centrica, whose energy activities span households, businesses and public sector customers, is one of the largest participants in the UK market. Adding another technology partner for in-home displays may help it manage delivery volumes as suppliers continue installations and replacements under evolving programme targets.
Broader ties
Chameleon indicated that the relationship could extend beyond device supply over time, although the announcement focused on support for current rollout needs. It expects to explore opportunities to help Centrica customers better understand energy use and identify ways to improve efficiency.
Carmen Carey, Executive Chair at Chameleon Technology, described the agreement as a sign of the company’s standing with energy retailers.
“Our partnership with Centrica reflects both the scale of our deployment capability and the trust placed in us by energy retailers across the UK market. We look forward to working closely with Centrica as the partnership develops and new opportunities emerge to deliver additional value through smart energy data,” said Carey.
Chameleon’s operations are based primarily in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, with additional operations in France and Hong Kong. More than 20 million people in Great Britain currently have access to a Chameleon in-home display, according to the company.