Smart meters will automatically send energy suppliers half-hourly updates on their customers' gas and electricity use, under an overhaul of the system later this year.
Ofgem will be granted new powers in May allowing it to change the way smart meters operate, so that data about usage is sent to suppliers every 30 minutes by default.
Suppliers will be able to use the data to change consumer energy prices as much as 48 times per day, allowing them to charge households more at peak times. The idea is that it will ease demand during busy periods and eventually lower kWh costs for everyone.
