See also: REC Schedules 

This schedule sets out the rules and operational procedures that Energy Suppliers should follow when managing activities for Consumes with Prepayment Meters, including Smart Meters operating in Prepayment mode. 

It is a mandatory Schedule for both Domestic and Non Domestic Suppliers. 

You can access this schedule with a Portal Accoount on the Energy Market Architecture Repository (EMAR).

Scope of Schedule

The Prepayment Arrangement Schedule covers:

• Requirements for Prepayment Devices following a Switch, Change of Occupier or Change of Metering Asset
• Requirements and operational procedures for updating information on Prepayment Meters
• Requirements for managing Switches where neither the Gaining or Losing Supplier can communicate with a Smart Meter in prepayment mode
• Requirements for services provided by Prepayment Meter Infrastructure Providers (PPMIPs)
• Assurance measures to ensure the processes for maintaining accurate date when calculating charges are in place

Each of these areas is detailed in the Schedule with the requirements laid out and the process steps to be taken, detailing the actions, the interactions between parties, the interface for the sharing of information and the means that information is shared.

Objectives of the Schedule

There are two key objectives in the Prepayment Schedule:

• to ensure that Consumers that have Prepayment meters are charged correctly and maintain a continuous supply
• to ensure the prepayment infrastructure is operated and utilised efficiently and in the interests of customers

Consumer Principles and Outcomes

In order to demonstrate compliance with this REC Schedule Energy Suppliers must be able to demonstrate that they have met the consumer principles and outcomes as follows:

• Consumers can top up their prepayment meters and are charged at the right tariff and any agreed debt recovery rate
• Consumers have the ability to apply an emergency top-up and for non-smart meters do not have to wait for a device to be issued
• Consumers only pay for the energy supplied to their premises, and Energy Suppliers only keep payments which they are entitled to under an Energy Contract
• Where an issue with a prepayment meter is identified the Registered Supplier will resolve in an appropriate timescale
• Registered Suppliers will take all reasonable steps to ensure date on a Prepayment meter is up to date
• Where there is a discrepancy on the information held on a prepayment meter and the information held by the Registered Supplier it is corrected as soon as possible.