Powering Homes News: page 34
- March 2025
Consumer Scotland publishes response to Ofgem RTS metering obligations consultation
Consumer Scotland has told Ofgem that plans to end the Radio Teleswitch Service in June 2025 need a narrow supplier exception and a compensation route for affected households.
Energy UK publishes report on cutting energy bills
Energy UK has published a report setting out how household energy bills could be cut over five years, calling for a national strategy led by Downing Street or the Treasury.
Expression of interest window closed and funding allocated to eligible local authorities
The Warm Homes: Local Grant expression of interest window has closed, and every eligible English local authority that applied by the deadline has been allocated funding from the £500 million scheme.
Government allocates £1.8 billion to Warm Homes Plan
The government has allocated £1.8 billion under its Warm Homes Plan to fund energy efficiency upgrades in up to 170,000 low income households and social housing properties in England.
T-4 Capacity Market auction concluded
The T-4 Capacity Market auction for the 2028/2029 delivery year concluded on 11 March 2025 and secured 43.1GW of de-rated capacity, according to the government's statutory security of supply report.
Consumer Scotland responds to DESNZ call for evidence on energy smart data scheme
Consumer Scotland has welcomed a proposed energy smart data scheme that would let households share consumption and tariff data, while calling for strong consent controls, third party vetting and enforcement.
Livoltek lists HP3-5K/6K/8K/10K/12K D2 hybrid inverters
Livoltek has listed the HP3-5K/6K/8K/10K/12K D2, a three-phase hybrid inverter range, in its hybrid product category with a date of 10 March 2025.
Draft Fuel Poverty Strategy consultation closes
Northern Ireland's draft Fuel Poverty Strategy consultation closed at 23:59 GMT on Thursday 6 March 2025, ending an exercise on a long-term framework and a proposed energy efficiency scheme.
MCS responds to DESNZ call for evidence on Ofgem review
MCS has backed a proposed extension of Ofgem's remit to enforce consumer law for low-carbon technologies, and asked to act as the regulator's delivery partner for small-scale renewables.
Octopus pauses new sign-ups to Flux and Intelligent Octopus Flux tariffs
Octopus Energy has temporarily stopped new sign-ups and switches to its Flux and Intelligent Octopus Flux tariffs, citing volatile energy prices, with forum users reporting Snug has also been withdrawn.
Mixergy closes £12 million funding round led by Barclays Climate Ventures
Mixergy has closed a £12 million funding round led by Barclays Climate Ventures, with existing shareholders backing the smart hot water cylinder maker as it moves to a licensing and partnership model.
Heat Networks (Market Framework) Regulations 2025 made
The Heat Networks (Market Framework) (Great Britain) Regulations 2025 were made on 2 March 2025, creating an authorisation regime for heat network operators with consumer protection conditions and a launch date of 27th January 2026.
£400 million energy efficiency grant to launch in 2025
A £400 million energy efficiency grant for households in England will launch in 2025, the government has confirmed, with the scheme's design and name still to be announced.
BUS to close to new applicants after 2024/25
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme's final impact assessment states the scheme will have closed to new applicants after 2024/25, with £450 million committed over three years from spring 2022.
ECA and eight trade associations call for Warm Homes Plan funding
The Electrical Contractors' Association and eight trade associations representing 4,000 businesses have urged the government to honour its Warm Homes Plan funding commitment.
Government confirms no financial assistance for spray foam removal
The government has confirmed there is no public money for removing spray foam insulation, pointing homeowners to installers or insurance-backed guarantees instead.
Great British Energy announced its first major rooftop solar project
Great British Energy's first major project will enable around 200 schools and up to 200 hospitals in England to install rooftop solar and complementary decarbonisation technologies, announced in March 2025.
Hi-MO X10 becomes available in the UK from March 2025
LONGi has said its Hi-MO X10 back contact solar module will go on sale in the UK from March 2025, starting with the 72-cell Explorer version and followed by smaller formats later in the year.
March Consultation on smart meter GSOPs published
Ofgem has confirmed new Guaranteed Standards of Performance for smart meters, with automatic compensation for consumers from 23 February 2026 where suppliers miss installation and fault-handling deadlines.
MCS begins transition to Redeveloped Installer Scheme over 18 months
MCS has begun an 18 month transition to its Redeveloped Installer Scheme, announced alongside record contractor numbers of over 5,250 and a record year for certified installations in 2024.
MCS introduces amended ASHP standards
MCS introduced amended air source heat pump standards on 20 March 2025, further amended on 23 April, which the Welsh Government says will form part of permitted development rights if its proposals come into force.
MHHS rollout to begin over 18 months from spring 2025
Ofgem has confirmed that Market-wide Half-Hourly Settlement will be rolled out over 18 months from spring 2025, exposing suppliers to the half-hourly cost of household electricity use.
Planning and Infrastructure Bill was introduced
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill, introduced in March 2025, gives the Secretary of State and Ofgem new powers over industry codes, licences and strategic plans for grid connections.
UK public charging network passes 73,000 charge points
The UK's public charging network passed 73,000 charge points in early 2025, a rise of 35.5 per cent since 2023, with more than £500 million invested over 18 months.
Social tariff working group final report shared with UK Government
A Scottish Government working group on a social tariff for energy has sent its final report and recommendations to the UK Government, which holds the powers to implement one.
SY14 scheme year closes with record delivery and an overspend against budget
Ofgem's annual report shows suppliers delivered £595.2 million of Warm Home Discount support in scheme year 14, £18.2 million above the £577 million budget, with 3.41 million rebates issued.
- February 2025
Industry leaders visit Wyke Farms to hear how biomethane could decarbonise homes and businesses
Wales & West Utilities brought industry bodies to a Somerset cheese farm on 28 February 2025 to hear how biomethane from food and farm waste already heats homes and businesses through the gas grid.
RECC winter newsletter published
The Renewable Energy Consumer Code has published its winter newsletter, covering 2024 monitoring results, consumer survey findings from the Electrification of Heat Demonstration Project and an update to MCS 031.
CCC presents Seventh Carbon Budget advice for a decarbonised UK by 2050
The Climate Change Committee has recommended a Seventh Carbon Budget limiting UK emissions to 535 MtCO2e over 2038 to 2042, with electrification of homes and transport doing most of the work.
Citizens Advice responds to government consultation on reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings regime
Citizens Advice has responded to the government's consultation on reforming the Energy Performance of Buildings regime, backing a five-year EPC validity period and stronger private rented sector requirements.