Netherlands enforces smart meter rollout: 550,000 households face mandatory upgrades by 2028
From 2026, Dutch households must replace outdated energy meters with smart or digital ones under the new Energy Act. This affects 550,000 homes, ensuring accurate energy tracking and compliance with modern standards. Grid operators will oversee the process, with enforcement by the RDI if needed.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Start Date | 1 January 2026 |
| Meters to be Replaced | ~550,000 outdated meters (analogue, dial, or one-way digital) |
| New Meter Types | Digital or smart meters (smart meters auto-transmit readings) |
| Grid Operators Involved | Enexis, Liander, Stedin, Coteq, Rendo, Westland Infra |
| Supervisory Authority | RDI (Radiation and Digital Infrastructure Authority) |
| Completion Target | Within 2 years (by 2028) |
| Enforcement Approach | Reminders first, penalties only as last resort |
The Ministry of Climate and Green Growth oversees the implementation of the new Energy Act, which modernizes energy infrastructure by mandating smart meter adoption. The RDI ensures compliance, balancing enforcement with support for households during the transition.
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Read the full translated article below
RDI to oversee mandatory cooperation with energy meter replacement from 2026
On 1 January 2026, the mandatory replacement of unsuitable energy meters with new digital or smart meters began. This mandatory energy meter replacement is a result of the new Energy Act, which came into force on 1 January 2026. Grid operators Enexis, Liander, Stedin, Coteq, Rendo and Westland Infra are carrying out this replacement operation within their own service areas on behalf of the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth. The RDI will oversee supervision and enforcement.
New Energy Act and energy meter replacement
On 1 January 2026, the Energy Act entered into force, replacing the 1998 Gas Act and Electricity Act. The new Energy Act introduces several changes. For example, households must replace unsuitable energy meters, such as old analogue or dial meters and digital one-way meters, with new suitable meters. These new meters can separately record the consumption and feed-in of self-generated electricity. Over the coming years, all unsuitable energy meters will be replaced with suitable digital or smart meters. The difference between a digital meter and a smart meter is that a smart meter can automatically transmit meter readings to an energy supplier, whereas a standard digital meter cannot.
Roles of the parties involved
Over the past decade, the grid operators involved have already replaced nearly 95% of all energy meters. In the next two years, the remaining approximately 550,000 outdated meters will be replaced. The replacement of unsuitable meters is mandatory. From early January, grid operators will inform their customers about this. Household data for those who do not respond or refuse the grid operator’s offer will ultimately be transferred to the RDI as the supervisory authority. The RDI will adopt an approach where residents are first reminded and assisted before resorting to encouraging measures, with a penalty payment only being considered as a last resort.