Can I refuse a smart meter — or have it switched off?
Yes. The Energy Act gives you three options: fully active, "administratively off" (read only once monthly), or full refusal. Nobody can force you.
When offering a smart meter the grid operator must give you three choices (Energy Act 2024 art. 8.5): (1) fully active — automatic hourly readings, annual statement runs; (2) "administratively off" — meter read only once monthly for billing, no detailed export; (3) full refusal — a traditional "dumb" meter is installed or kept. On refusal the operator may charge a reasonable cost-based surcharge for manual reading. ACM has previously sanctioned coercive operators. Refusing by letter? Ask confirmation of your choice + confirmation that no detailed data is stored.