Powering Homes news, page 29
- July 2025
Energy Storage Association (UK) launches with Baroness Luciana Berger as inaugural Chair
The Energy Storage Association (UK) has launched with Baroness Luciana Berger as its inaugural Chair, setting out a mission to put storage at the centre of the net-zero transition.
SSEN announces £2.5m network upgrade between Banchory and Aboyne
SSEN Distribution is spending £2.5m to replace 13km of overhead lines and more than 200 wooden poles between Banchory and Aboyne, with the six-month project due to finish in September.
MCS launched a consultation on an air-to-air heat pump performance standard
MCS has opened a four-week consultation on a proposed standard and calculator tool for estimating the performance of air-to-air heat pump systems, with responses due by 6 August 2025.
Consultation on Clean Heat Market Mechanism Year 2 closes
The UK Government consultation on the Clean Heat Market Mechanism's second-year heat pump credit target and on naming MCS as the sole certification scheme closed on 2 July 2025, with responses now being analysed.
Government opens consultation on updating the Decent Homes Standard
The government consulted from 2 July to 10 September 2025 on updating the Decent Homes Standard and extending it to private rented homes in England.
Octopus Energy price amendments
Octopus Energy amended prices on its Octopus Key and Card and Flexible Octopus tariffs, in a change recorded by the price comparison service Energylinx.
Which? warns of fake DWP energy support scam texts
Which? has warned that scammers impersonating the Department for Work and Pensions are texting householders fake energy grant offers of £200 to £300, with links to malicious websites.
New allowances to be implemented in July 2025 cap
Ofgem has restructured the operating cost and debt allowances inside the energy price cap, cutting the total allowance by an average of £8 per customer from the July 2025 cap period.
Civil sanctions replace criminal sanctions for Smoke Control Area enforcement in Wales
Civil monetary penalties of £175 to £300 per notice of intent replaced criminal sanctions for smoke emissions in Welsh smoke control areas from the end of July 2025, and approved appliance and fuel exceptions were removed.
Clean Flexibility Roadmap published
Government, Ofgem and NESO have published a Clean Flexibility Roadmap update setting out progress since July 2025 and new commitments on consumer-led flexibility, storage and market reform.
Consultation on changes to permitted development rights closes
The Welsh Government consultation on changes to permitted development rights, including air source heat pumps and off-street electric vehicle charging, closed on 1 July 2025.
Contact with suppliers about help paying bills reaches highest level to date
Ofgem's Energy Consumer Satisfaction Survey for July and August 2025 shows contact with suppliers about help paying bills reached its highest recorded level, at 78% of customers who fell behind.
Energy Bills and the Price CapEnergy SuppliersRules and Regulation
Cornwall Insight forecasts slight fall in price cap for July to September 2025
Cornwall Insight forecasts the July to September 2025 price cap at £1,756.02 a year for a typical dual fuel direct debit household, a slight fall from the current cap of £1,849.
Council publishes Statement of Intent for ECO4 and GBIS
West Lindsey District Council has published its July 2025 Statement of Intent setting out the full eligibility criteria for ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme Flex routes.
DESNZ launches consultation on electricity network infrastructure reforms
The Welsh Government has published its response to a consultation on permitted development rights, confirming strong support for loosening rules on air source heat pumps and setting out phased next steps.
Dimplex publishes Quantum HHR storage heater brochure
Dimplex has published a brochure for its Quantum high heat retention storage heater, setting out the range's specifications, controls and accreditations as correct at the time of publication.
Eligibility criteria for Warmer Homes Scotland widened
The Scottish Government has widened the eligibility criteria for Warmer Homes Scotland, so more households can qualify for energy-saving improvements and previous unsuccessful applicants may now be successful.
Grants and SchemesYour Type of HomeScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Energy price cap falls 7% to £1,720 for a typical household
The energy price cap fell 7 per cent on 1 July 2025, cutting the bill for a typical household paying by direct debit from £1,849 to £1,720 a year.
Energy Bills and the Price CapStatisticsRules and Regulation
Flexi 2025 variable cost breakdown updated for the quarter from 1 July 2025
ScottishPower has published the quarterly update to its Flexi 2025 variable cost breakdown, showing which component charges change from 1 July 2025 and which stay the same.
Float debt allowance to end in July 2025
Ofgem has concluded its first full review of the price cap's operating cost and debt allowances, cutting the total allowance by an average of £8 per customer and ending the float allowance in July 2025.
The Float ended and the enduring DRC allowance took effect
Ofgem's temporary £28 per dual fuel customer debt allowance, the Float, ended on 1 July 2025 when updated operating cost and debt allowances took effect, with a review now proposing no further adjustment.
Luthmore opens installer training registrations ahead of production later in 2025
Luthmore, founded by two former Dyson engineers, is taking registrations for installer training on its battery-powered boiler ahead of production starting later in 2025.
Mid-scheme changes to come into force from July 2025
Mid-scheme changes to the Energy Company Obligation 4 and Great British Insulation Scheme come into force from July 2025, allowing two insulation measures per home and counting ECO4 delivery towards GBIS targets.
Next-generation residential solar inverter and home battery expected to become available
SolarEdge has announced a next-generation three-phase residential inverter and dedicated home battery for the European market, with availability expected in the second half of 2025.
Ofgem published a summary of responses and next steps on zero standing charge tariffs
Ofgem has set out next steps on zero and lower standing charge tariffs, saying it will consider requiring every supplier to offer one such tariff in all regions.
Retrofit System Reform Advisory Panel established
The government has opened a consultation on overhauling consumer protection for home upgrade schemes, citing failures in ECO4 and GBIS insulation work and proposing a single service from 2028.
Satisfaction with complaint handling exceeds dissatisfaction for the first time
Ofgem's Energy Consumer Satisfaction Survey found 66% of customers were satisfied with complaint handling and 58% with the time taken, the first wave in which satisfaction outweighed dissatisfaction.
SSEN announces £155m investment programme for Southampton electricity network
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks will spend £155m on Southampton's electricity network from July 2025 to summer 2031, upgrading substations, cables and building a new Bulk Supply Point.
New tumble dryer energy labels take effect in Northern Ireland
Rescaled A-G energy labels and higher minimum efficiency standards for tumble dryers took effect in Northern Ireland on 1 July 2025, ending the sale of new condenser dryers there.
- June 2025
Deadline for Economy 7 smart meter upgrade contact
Energy suppliers were expected to have contacted Economy 7 customers about upgrading to a smart meter before 30 June 2025, under the deadline for moving homes off older metering.