What Smart Energy Code does

Smart Energy Code Company Ltd (SECCo) is the private limited company that serves as the corporate vehicle supporting the SEC Panel in administering the Smart Energy Code (SEC), a multi-Party regulatory agreement designated by the UK Department of Energy Security and Net Zero on 23 September 2013 and enforced under the Data and Communications Company (DCC) licence. The SEC defines the rights, obligations and operational standards governing end-to-end smart metering in Great Britain for energy suppliers (large and small), electricity and gas network operators, the DCC and consumer representatives (Citizens Advice, Consumer Scotland). SECCo coordinates a multi-tier governance structure comprising the SEC Panel, SECCo Board, Change Board, Security Sub-Committee, Privacy Sub-Committee, Operations Group, TABASC and other working groups, with secretariat and helpdesk services delivered under the SECAS contract (held by Talan since June 2024, previously by Gemserv since 2013).

The organisation's core product surface includes the SEC agreement itself, the Digital Smart Energy Code (CodeWorks) web platform (codeworks.energy), the Central Products List (CPL), the Deployed Products List (DPL), the SMETS1 Eligible and Pending Products Combination Lists, an A-Z glossary of 879 terms, Design Notes maintained by TABASC, and the Commercial Product Assurance (CPA) security certification scheme. SECCo does not sell products commercially; its operating model is regulatory administration funded through pass-through SEC Party contributions under the DCC Charging Methodology, with SECCo Ltd setting an annual Recoverable Costs budget via the SEC Panel. Customer concentration is structurally narrow: SEC Parties are obligated to participate, and there is no competitive customer acquisition motion. Geographic reach is limited to Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), governed by UK energy ministers and Ofgem, and the regime is currently absorbing the DCC2 licence transition awarded by Ofgem in August 2024.

Name

Smart Energy Code

Legal name

Smart Energy Code Company Ltd

Website

https://smartenergycodecompany.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Smart Energy Code Company Ltd (SECCo) administers the Smart Energy Code, a UK statutory multi-Party agreement governing smart metering in Great Britain for energy suppliers, network operators, the DCC and consumer representatives.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Smart Metering Regulation

NAICS

Regulation and Administration of Communications, Electric, Gas, and Other Utilities (92613), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Interoperability Standards, Certification & Compliance (NERC CIP comms, FCC/licensing) (EUADAIAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Energy, Utilities & Natural Resources Regulators (BPAIAOAJ), Secure Communications & Encryption for Utility Networks (VPN, PKI, Key Management) (EUADANAG), Instrumentation, Controls & Automation (DCS/PLC/SCADA, SIS, Metering) (EUAEAFAC)

Keywords

• Smart metering regulation
• Energy code governance
• Regulatory framework
• Smart meter compliance
• Energy industry standards

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. SEC Panel Funding: SECCo Board makes decisions on funding allocation and supplier contracts, based on recommendations from the SEC Panel. The Panel budget sets out the Panel's good faith estimate of the Recoverable Costs anticipated during relevant Regulatory Years.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Smart Energy Code (SEC) is a multi-Party regulatory agreement defining the rights and obligations of energy suppliers, network operators, and other parties involved in the end-to-end management of smart metering in Great Britain. It is designated by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and enforced under the Data and Communications Company (DCC) licence. SECCo Ltd administers the agreement with support from SECAS (Smart Energy Code Administrator and Secretariat, operated by Talan), which provides helpdesk services, governance support, CodeWorks digital platform, and the Central Products List device register.

Product overview

The Smart Energy Code (SEC) Company operates a suite of regulatory, governance, and technical documentation products for smart metering in Great Britain. The core offering is the Smart Energy Code itself — a multi-party regulatory agreement enforced under the DCC licence. This is supported by the Digital Smart Energy Code (CodeWorks), a web-based platform providing searchable access to all SEC documentation. Key technical products include the Central Products List (CPL) managing certified devices DCC can communicate with, and the Commercial Product Assurance (CPA) Scheme providing independent security certification for smart meters and related devices. Supporting products include the Deployed Products List (DPL), SMETS1 Products Combination Lists, Design Notes, and the SEC Glossary. Governance services are delivered through the SEC Panel, multiple sub-committees (Security, Privacy, Operations, Change), and the SECAS Helpdesk operated by Talan.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Smart Energy Code (SEC) A multi-Party regulatory agreement defining the rights and obligations of energy suppliers, network operators, and other parties involved in smart metering in Great Britain. Enforced under the DCC licence. Mandatory for all parties using DCC services.
• Digital Smart Energy Code (CodeWorks)

Quantifiable outcome

• 53 million smart electricity and gas meters to be rolled out under the SMIP
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Gemserv (SECAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGemserv was awarded the contract to undertake the SECAS (Smart Energy Code Administrator and Secretariat) role in September 2013 following a competitive procurement process run by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). Gemserv provides administrative support, helpdesk services, guidance materials, Party Engagement Analysts, and education seminars to SEC Parties.
• TalancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTalan is the Smart Energy Code Administrator & Secretariat (SECAS). The SECAS role includes providing advice and support to the SEC Panel and its Sub-Committees, supporting SEC Parties with helpdesk services, guidance materials, and education seminars.
• CyTAL UK Ltd (CPA Scheme Operator)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCyTAL UK Ltd has been appointed as the CPA Scheme Operator, responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operation of the CPA Scheme for Devices being evaluated. The Scheme Operator reviews analysis and recommendations from CPA Test Labs and awards CPA Certificates.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Ofgem: Ofgem is the GB regulator for electricity and gas markets and oversees SEC compliance, the DCC licence, and code modifications. Although regulatory rather than administrative, Ofgem sets the policy and enforcement boundaries within which SECCo operates.
• Gemserv: Gemserv was the original SECAS provider (2013-2024) and continues to administer other energy codes (e.g., MRA, SPAA). It is a closely adjacent consulting and code-administration peer with deep SEC legacy knowledge.
• Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ): DESNZ (formerly BEIS/DECC) designated the SEC in 2013 and grants the DCC licence. It is the principal counterpart government department for SECCo and the upstream policy owner whose direction shapes the SEC's scope and evolution.
• Talan (SECAS): Talan is the incumbent SECAS administrator (since 2024), providing secretariat, helpdesk, and governance support services to SECCo. It is the executive operational arm executing SECCo's mandate — comparable as the operational peer enabling the code's administration.

Direct peers

• Elexon: Elexon administers the Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC) for electricity in Great Britain — another industry code administrator with a multi-Party agreement, panel governance, and modifications process substantially similar to SEC. It is the most direct peer in terms of role, structure, and stakeholder model.
• ElectraLink (DCUSA Administrator): ElectraLink is the Distribution Connection and Use of System Agreement (DCUSA) administrator for GB electricity distribution. It is governed as an industry code with multi-Party governance similar in structure and function to SEC.
• Retail Energy Code Company (RECCo): RECCo administers the Retail Energy Code (REC), the master agreement covering retail energy market arrangements in GB. It mirrors SEC's model of a corporate vehicle supporting a multi-Party code with a panel and sub-committees, serving similar supplier and network stakeholders.
• Xoserve: Xoserve is the UK gas industry data service provider and administrator of UK Link, including Uniform Network Code (UNC) operations. Like SEC, it runs a multi-Party governance framework for gas metering and settlement infrastructure, making it a direct peer in gas-side code administration.

Broad incumbents

• Energy Networks Association (ENA): The ENA is the industry body for GB energy networks and runs governance for several network-side codes (including MRA governance previously). It is comparable as a codes/standards body serving energy network operators that are also SEC Parties.
• National Grid ESO: National Grid ESO administers the Connection and Use of System Code (CUSC) for GB electricity transmission — a broader incumbent running a major industry code similar in purpose to SEC but at transmission (rather than metering) level.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smart-energy-code-and-secretariat-secas-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Smart Energy Code