What are MOP and DC contracts, and why do they matter for my business?

If your business has a Half-Hourly (HH) electricity meter, there are two key contracts you must have in place:

  • MOP (Meter Operator Provider): responsible for installing, owning, operating, and maintaining your meter. They ensure the meter is accurate, valid, and functioning properly.

  • DC (Data Collector): collects your usage data (usually every half-hour), validates it, and passes it on to your supplier so that your bills are accurate.

Why MOP & DC contracts are important

  • Accuracy of billing – Without a proper Data Collector in place, your usage might be estimated, delayed, or improperly validated, leading to overpayment or disputes.

  • Avoid default / supplier-imposed arrangements – If you don’t appoint your own MOP / DC, your supplier or the network operator may use their default providers (often at higher cost or with less favourable service levels).

  • Meter reliability & compliance – A good MOP ensures that your meter is well maintained, any faults are resolved quickly, and that the meter meets industry standards.

  • Access to usable data – With the right DC arrangements, you get frequent, accurate consumption data, which is essential for demand management, energy cost forecasting, capacity optimization, (see kVA optimization) and sustainability reporting.

Isn’t this covered by my electricity supplier?

No - your electricity supplier provides and bills you for the energy itself, but MOP and DC contracts are separate industry requirements. They deal with the meter hardware and the collection/validation of usage data. If you don’t arrange your own, your supplier will appoint their default providers – often at a higher cost.

What costs & timescales are involved

  • There may be standing charges, variable fees, installation or replacement costs, and costs for maintenance / meter read calibration.

  • Lead times for installing or changing meters or contracts can vary (often several weeks to months depending on meter type, location, complexity).

  • If you request upgrades (e.g. smart or remote reading meters), there may be additional cost and longer lead times.

What to check / questions to ask when arranging MOP / DC contracts

  • What service level (response times, maintenance, fault resolution) does the MOP provide?

  • How often does the DC provide data, and in what format? Is it delivered electronically to a dashboard or via reports?

  • Is the contract fixed-term or rolling? What are cancellation terms?

  • How easy is it to switch your MOP / DC if cost or service becomes an issue?

  • Where applicable, are there any incentives or penalties for exceeding capacity, late / estimated reads, or data inaccuracies?

How CEB Consultants adds value

  • We can source competitive quotes for MOP & DC contracts, benchmark them against market rates.

  • We’ll manage the process of setting up or switching providers so you don’t have to liaise with multiple parties.

  • We ensure your MOP & DC arrangements integrate seamlessly with your supply and billing contracts, and help you get the data you need for cost / usage insights.

  • We monitor your usage data for anomalies, and support you in resolving meter faults or inaccuracies.

  • We regularly review contracts to keep costs down and service levels high.