The State of Smart Meter Data Access Across Europe: Challenges, Opportunities, and Country-by-Country Insights

Smart meter data is at the heart of Europe’s push toward a greener and more efficient energy future. It’s a game-changer for energy efficiency, emissions reduction, and giving users more control over their energy use. But accessing this data through smart meter APIs? That’s still a challenge.

The EU is leading the charge, with about 72% of households now equipped with smart meters—and the numbers are climbing. Some countries are already upgrading to second or even third-wave rollouts, replacing older meters with smarter models. These devices are key to enabling dynamic pricing, integrating renewables, and improving grid management.

That said, progress is uneven. Some countries are leading the way, while others are held back by regulatory, economic, or technical barriers. But one thing is clear: smart meters are becoming the foundation of a smarter, more sustainable energy system.

In this article, we’ll explore the challenges businesses encounter when accessing smart meter data and provide a detailed country-by-country guide on connecting to data exchange platforms across Europe.

Main Challenges to Accessing Smart Meter Data

Accessing smart meter data, despite its transformative potential, is often a complicated process. Businesses face several key challenges—here are the main ones:

Regulatory Complexity: GDPR is interpreted differently across countries, resulting in varying consent requirements and access rules. For companies operating in multiple regions, navigating these inconsistencies adds complexity and slows integration.

Administrative Barriers: Local registration requirements, lengthy onboarding processes, and a lack of standardized procedures can create bottlenecks. The challenge is further compounded when smart meter data platforms offer documentation and support only in local languages, adding another layer of complexity.

Technical Roadblocks: Many systems still rely on outdated methods such as XML SOAP web services, external hardware for data access, or receiving data through channels like email or FTP servers.

Combined with fragmented smart meter APIs and inconsistent data standards, these challenges make scaling energy data integration across multiple markets a significant hurdle.

Detailed Country-by-Country Overview 

Austria

Austria is on track to achieve 65% smart meter coverage by 2024. The Energy Data Hub Austria (EDA), developed through collaboration between Austrian TSOs and DSOs, acts as the central platform for managing energy consumption data. The platform is accessible to third parties, including international companies. 

Belgium

While a nationwide smart meter rollout is planned for after 2030, Belgium has achieved 40% market coverage, with smart meters installed in 57% of households across the country. Deployment so far has been concentrated in Flanders, where Fluvius has completed the rollout.

Fluvius offers the Mijn Fluvius portal, which provides API-based access to the meters installed in Flanders. A nationwide data exchange platform, Atrias, is under development to centralize data sharing across all regions. International companies must register locally to comply with Belgian regulations.

Denmark

Denmark has achieved 99% smart meter coverage through its Distribution System Operators (DSOs). The ElOverblik platform, managed by Energinet, the national Transmission System Operator (TSO), provides market participants with access to energy data via API. International companies must register locally to comply with Danish regulations.

Estonia

Estonia has achieved 100% smart meter coverage, led by Elektrilevi, the largest Distribution System Operator (DSO). The Estfeed Datahub, operated by Elering, offers a single access point for energy data via API. The platform is open to all market participants, with no local registration required for international companies.

Finland

Finland’s 80 Distribution System Operators (DSOs) have achieved 100% smart meter coverage. The Fingrid Datahub, managed by Fingrid, the national Transmission System Operator, allows market participants to access energy data via API. The platform is accessible to all market participants without requiring local registration.

France

France has implemented 94% smart meter coverage, managed by Enedis, the primary Distribution System Operator (DSO). The Enedis DataHub provides API and XML web services for residential and commercial electricity data. For gas, GRDF offers a similar data exchange infrastructure, GRDF ADICT. The platform is accessible to all market participants, and no local registration is required for international companies.

Germany

Germany’s smart meter rollout is still in its early stages, with only 1% coverage due to legal and bureaucratic delays. A new data exchange infrastructure, AS4 (based on XML/SOAP), is set to replace the legacy Edifact system in 2024. This new platform will enable API-based data retrieval, streamlining access for market participants.

Ireland

Ireland’s smart meter rollout stands at 54%, with completion expected by 2025. Managed by ESB Networks, the rollout covers residential and commercial/industrial consumers. The Meter Registration System Operator (MRSO) oversees a central data exchange platform, which is accessible to all market participants without requiring local registration for international companies.

Italy

Italy has achieved 98% smart meter coverage, led by the country’s Distribution System Operators (DSOs). The Sistema Informativo Integrato, managed by Acquirente Unico, facilitates data access for DSOs, retailers, and end customers. However, access for third parties is not currently available.

Latvia

Latvia has achieved near-complete smart meter coverage, managed by Sadales tīkls AS, the largest Distribution System Operator (DSO). The Smart Tech Energy Platform (STEP) serves as the central data exchange infrastructure, providing access to market participants who meet specific conditions, such as registration with the SPRK (Public Utilities Commission).

Lithuania

Lithuania’s smart meter rollout is at 12%, progressing in two phases. Phase 1 (until 2026) targets large residential and business customers, while Phase 2 (2026 onward) focuses on replacing end-of-life meters. The rollout is managed by Energijos Skirstymo Operatorius (ESO). Plans for a data exchange platform are underway, but no details on its launch are available.

Netherlands

The Netherlands has achieved 90% smart meter coverage, with Distribution System Operators (DSOs) managing installation and meter readings. Residential data is accessed through the Energie Data Services Nederland (EDSN) platform via XML SOAP web services. Commercial and industrial data require direct API integration with the meter operators. International companies are not required to register locally.

Norway

Norway has achieved 99% smart meter coverage, managed by 140 DSOs. The Elhub API, operated by Elhub AS under Statnett SF, serves as the central data exchange infrastructure. Access is available to all market participants, but international companies must register locally and obtain a national ID.

Poland

Poland’s smart meter rollout stands at 22%, with a goal of 80% coverage by 2028. The Central Energy Market Information System (CSIRE), developed by OIRE and implemented by PSE, is expected to launch in 2024/2025, centralizing energy data exchange for market participants.

Portugal

Portugal has achieved 85% smart meter coverage, led by the Distribution System Operator (DSO) E-REDES. The E-REDES Open Data platform provides aggregated data, but specific metering data for market participants is also accessible. International companies are not required to register locally.

Spain

Spain has achieved 100% smart meter coverage through more than 50 DSOs. The Datadis platform serves as a centralized data exchange infrastructure, offering residential and commercial metering data access to market participants. International companies must register both the company and one director locally to obtain a NIF (Tax Identification Number) and NIE (Foreigner Identification Number).

Sweden

Sweden has achieved 100% smart meter coverage, managed by multiple DSOs. Plans for a centralized data exchange platform, Elmarknadshubb, were postponed in 2020 due to legislative delays. Access to data remains decentralized, requiring individual agreements with each of the 170 DSOs.

Switzerland

Switzerland’s smart meter rollout is currently at 20%, with a legal requirement for 80% coverage by 2027. Details about a centralized data exchange platform remain unclear, including whether all market participants will have access.

United Kingdom

The UK’s smart meter rollout stands at 57%, with completion targeted by 2025, though delays persist. Residential and SME data is managed through the Data Communications Company (DCC), while business data is accessed via Electralink, owned by six major DNOs. Both platforms are accessible, but direct DCC access requires signing the Smart Energy Code.

‍

Conclusion: Openvolt Makes Smart Meter Data Simple

Accessing smart meter data across Europe isn’t just challenging—it’s a maze of long onboarding timelines, fragmented technologies, and different consent rules. Navigating this complexity can drain resources and slow innovation.

At Openvolt, we eliminate these barriers. By connecting to major data hubs in the UK, Spain, France, the Netherlands, and Finland—covering over 100 million meters and 50% of Europe’s installed base—we provide a single integration point for seamless smart meter API integration and data access.

With Openvolt, your business can unlock energy data without worrying about regulatory, administrative, or technical hurdles. Focus on building innovative energy solutions, and let us handle the complexity.

Ready to simplify smart meter data access and unlock energy data access across Europe? Contact us today to learn how Openvolt can power your energy solutions through a developer friendly API.

‍