What is an MOA, SDS or ADS? A Guide for Scottish Self-Catering Businesses

Introduction

If you run a self-catering property in Scotland, you’re no stranger to managing costs, from maintenance to cleaning to guest comfort. Energy is one of the biggest overheads and it’s changing again. 

For years, businesses with half-hourly meters have had to deal with MOPs, DCs and DAs: technical roles that manage meters and data behind the scenes. But new rules are coming in that will change this setup. 

These new roles (MOA, SDS and ADS) will soon apply to every business, whether you have a single holiday let with a smart meter or multiple properties. If you’re unsure what these terms mean or why they matter, you’re not alone. This guide explains what’s changing, why, and what it means in practice for self-caterers. 

A quick recap: the old system 

If you’ve managed energy contracts before, you may have come across these terms: 

• MOP – the Meter Operator, responsible for installing and maintaining electricity meters, particularly half-hourly (HH) meters. 

• DC – the Data Collector, who retrieves usage data from the meter. 

• DA – the Data Aggregator, who processes that data and sends it on for settlement and billing. 

If your property had a half-hourly supply, you were legally required to appoint these roles. Many suppliers offered a default service, but choosing your own could save money and give more control. These roles have shaped commercial energy data for years. 

So, what’s changing? 

The UK is moving to a new system called Market-wide Half-Hourly Settlement (MHHS). This will ensure all electricity use, whether from a smart meter or not, is settled every half hour. It’s part of a wider move towards a more flexible energy system that reflects real-time demand. 

To make this work, the industry is replacing or combining the old roles with new ones. 

Meet the new roles: MOA, SDS and ADS 

MOA – Metering Operations Agent
Similar to the old Meter Operator, but broader. The MOA makes sure your meter is set up correctly and can communicate with the new data systems. They’re the link between the physical meter in your property and the digital systems that process your usage. 

SDS – Smart Data Service
This new role applies mainly to smart meters in smaller sites, like many self-catering properties. The SDS takes daily readings and converts them into half-hourly data so they can be used for billing and settlement. 

ADS – Advanced Data Service
This replaces the old Data Collector role for half-hourly meters and includes some of the Data Aggregator responsibilities. The ADS validates your half-hourly meter reads and passes them into central systems for settlement. 

Often, these roles will be handled by the same companies that already act as DCs or DAs, but with updated systems and responsibilities. 

Why does this matter for self-catering businesses? 

It might sound technical, but there are three key reasons it affects you: 

1. You’re going to be included.
   The new rules cover every business, not just those with half-hourly meters. That means smart meters in smaller holiday lets will also need to produce half-hourly data.
2. The supplier’s default might not be best.
   If you don’t choose, your supplier will likely appoint someone by default. That can mean higher costs or less visibility of your data.
3. Better data means better decisions.
   Accurate energy data gives you a clearer picture of when and how your property is using energy. That helps with budgeting, managing usage during busy guest periods, and even sustainability reporting if that’s important for your brand.

How to prepare 

The rollout of MHHS is planned for 2026, but it’s worth getting ahead. Here are some steps to take now: 

• Check what kind of meter you have and whether it’s currently settled half-hourly. 

• Ask your energy partner or supplier about your current data setup. 

• Consider whether consolidating your metering and data roles under one provider could reduce complexity. 

• Find out what’s involved in switching to MOA, SDS or ADS support early. 

• Make sure you can access your energy data, if you can’t, ask why. 

Final thought 

For Scottish self-caterers, these changes may feel distant, but they’re coming, and understanding them now could save time, money, and confusion later. Whether you run one cottage or several holiday homes, knowing how your meter data is handled will become part of managing your property efficiently. 

Author of guidance: Troo

Date of guidance: October 2025

Version Number: V1

Disclaimer – Guidance Sheets are written by experienced Members of the ASSC and other experts. The information in the ‘Guidance Sheet’ is provided by the ASSC for use by Members in support of their own independent business decisions. It does not constitute advice or instruction for which the ASSC can be held liable in any way whatsoever. All Members and other readers remain responsible for the consequences of any decisions taken whether in the light of information gained from this Guidance Sheet or not.