I really enjoy this thread. I too have a dormant SMETS1 meter (Secure Liberty 100), but I am taking a different route to have a CAD paired. It seems that the rules of the game are well defined once the DCC is in the picture, thus we would not have much more room for excuses from energy suppliers.
DCC is the new government strategy to centralise communication services between smart meters and energy suppliers (mandatory for SMETS2).
I would not expect my old energy supplier (who I no longer have contract with) to go through the trouble of engaging their currently contracted smart meter system operator (SMSO) just to have a CAD enabled for me. This will no longer be necessary once the device is transitioned from their SMSO to DCC.
See the expected flow on page 3 (“Local Access via HAN using a CAD”) in the following publication:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/591322/09022017_-Smart_Meters__Data__Growth_DR-_updated.pdf
The good news is that BEIS is giving an ultimatum for energy suppliers to take all reasonable steps to enrol SMETS1 devices in the DCC within 12 months from when they inherit a device / consumer.
See the outcome of the BEIS consultation here:
As soon as the old SMETS1 device becomes part of the DCC, it will be treated just like the new generation SMETS2, whose expectations for CADs are clearly defined.
Apparently, a request to have a CAD paired can also flow through “Other DCC users” and not only restricting us (the consumers) to a specific energy supplier.
Therefore, lacking a better option, my current strategy is to put pressure on my supplier to enrol my SMETS1 device in the DCC (or else upgrade me to SMETS2).
Once this is done, I suspect that pairing a CAD will not be so much of an issue anymore, and I can use whatever supplier I want without loss of the device’s “smart” capabilities. I am finding it a better prospect than having to go back to my old supplier and getting stuck with them (yet hoping they will play ball).
It will surely take a while to have everything resolved, but let’s see what happens I would be devastated if I end up having to use one of those energy meter clamp solutions in the end.
Best wishes for a happy 2019 everyone!
G