What is a meter operator for a business site?

A meter operator, or MOP, installs and maintains electricity metering equipment [S1]. Meter operation and meter asset provision are 2 distinct roles: the asset provider owns, provides or leases the equipment [S2]. Your supplier coordinates the metering appointment, although your business may hold a separate service contract. Confirm the responsible parties before changing your installation. Checked October 2026.

Last checked 19 October 2026

What does a meter operator do for your site?

A meter operator, or MOP, is the organisation responsible for installing and maintaining electricity meters [S1].

Why it matters for your site: a charger, solar or battery project may require coordination at the supply meter. Establish the responsible party before booking work or assuming your installation contractor can alter metering.

The meter asset provider (MAP) is the party owning, providing or leasing the meter assets [S2]. Asset ownership and maintenance responsibility are different questions. Record both contacts beside your Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN), the reference identifying your electricity metering point [S2].

Who arranges the meter appointment?

Start with your supplier. SP Energy Networks describes the supplier arranging installation through the meter operative, while noting that some customers may need a separate MOP contract [S1]. Ask who contracts for the service, what it covers and which appointment is active.

Market-wide Half-Hourly Settlement (MHHS) also changes the role names in market arrangements. Elexon’s metering guide identifies Metering Service Smart and Metering Service Advanced for migrated metering points [S3]. Check the arrangement for your own meter rather than relying solely on the label on an old invoice.

Use who is who in electricity for the wider contact map and half-hourly settlement for the reform itself.

What should you check when adding solar or a battery?

Send the supplier your proposed import and export arrangements, equipment schedule and any supply-upgrade plan. Ask whether the meter needs reconfiguration or replacement and who will coordinate it. The network’s guide distinguishes connection work from metering and asks customers to notify the supplier of upgrades [S1].

If the project includes a sub-meter, ask the designer to mark what it measures and distinguish it from the supply meter. Request a written responsibility schedule covering access, commissioning evidence and fault reporting. Keep service charges separate from the energy prices shown in our business electricity data.

Next step

Use the cut-energy-costs hub and site check to prepare your metering questions, then get matched with an installer that covers your area.

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