Powering Homes news, page 36
- March 2025
Reformed Clean Heat Market Mechanism to launch on 1 April 2025
The reformed Clean Heat Market Mechanism takes effect on 1 April 2025, obliging heating manufacturers to meet rising heat pump installation targets as part of the government's Warm Homes Plan.
Trust responds to Warm Home Discount expansion consultation
The British Gas Energy Trust has endorsed plans to widen the Warm Home Discount and scrap the high-cost-to-heat threshold, but warns 55% of fuel-poor households will still miss out on the £150 rebate.
PAS2030:2019 and PAS2035:2019 cease to be applicable
Ofgem has confirmed that from 30 March 2025 only the 2023 versions of the PAS retrofit standards may be used for work under ECO4 and GBIS, replacing the 2019 editions.
SSEN announces £200m Oxfordshire network transformation
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks will spend more than £200m with OCU Group upgrading the Oxfordshire distribution network from later this spring, work running mainly to the turn of the decade.
Updated PAS 2035/2030:2023 standard comes into force
An updated version of the PAS 2035/2030:2023 retrofit standard took effect on 30 March 2025, requiring Retrofit Coordinators to visit sites and raising qualification standards for Retrofit Designers.
Ofgem opens consultation on smart meter guaranteed standards
Ofgem has opened a consultation on updating the 2015 Guaranteed Standards of Performance so they clearly cover smart meters and on adding four new standards for smart metering problems.
Consultation on raising product standards for space heating closes
A government consultation on tighter ecodesign and energy labelling rules for space and combination heaters closed on 25 March 2025, with the outcome still to be published.
E3G publishes report on enforcing energy efficiency standards for private renters in England and Wales
E3G has published a report finding that enforcement of energy efficiency standards for private renters in England and Wales is undermined by underfunding, weak legislation and inaccessible data.
Regulatory Review Group considers EPC reform Government Response
Scottish Government officials presented the EPC reform Government Response to the Regulatory Review Group on 25 March 2025, setting out five recommendations ahead of regulations due in Autumn 2026.
Consumer Scotland responds to DESNZ consultation on expanding the Warm Home Discount Scheme 2025-26
Consumer Scotland has backed plans to widen the Park Homes Warm Home Discount to households that do not pay suppliers directly, but says the expansion needs new money rather than funds taken from energy advice work.
Rules and RegulationGrants and SchemesScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Uswitch updates new boiler costs and installation guide
Uswitch republished its new boiler cost and installation guide on 21 March 2025, listing installer offers, finance terms and typical installation prices for UK households.
Consumer Scotland responds to Ofgem consultation on zero standing charge price cap variant
Consumer Scotland has told Ofgem that a zero standing charge price cap variant risks concentrating fixed costs in winter and may only benefit a limited group of low-usage households.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapEnergy Suppliers
UK Power Networks announces partnerships to reduce fuel poverty for over half a million people by 2028
UK Power Networks is funding four not-for-profit organisations to deliver tailored support to vulnerable customers, aiming to reduce fuel poverty for more than half a million people by 2028.
SSEN announces trial of Community Smart Access option for new housing estates
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks has said it is ready to trial a Community Smart Access option, using Dynamic Load Averaging, to speed up electricity connections for new net zero housing estates.
Sunamp launches low-power Thermino heat battery models at ISH Frankfurt
Sunamp has added 1800 watt low-power models to its Thermino heat battery range, launched at the ISH trade fair in Frankfurt on 18 March 2025.
Westbridge Advisory International AG listed with Energy Ombudsman
The Energy Ombudsman has listed Westbridge Advisory International AG as an active member from 18 March 2025, giving the company a route into the dispute scheme for energy brokers.
Scottish Government minister writes to Ofgem on RTS switch-off
Scotland's acting climate minister has written to Ofgem asking for urgent action to speed up replacement of Radio Teleswitch Service meters, with 146,302 Scottish consumers still needing new meters before June.
Energy UK publishes briefing on data sharing to support vulnerable customers
Energy UK has published a briefing calling on the next government to set up a cross-Whitehall project on data access and matching, and to fold government data into a shared Priority Services Register.
SSEN Distribution announces £560k investment in north west Skye network
SSEN Distribution is to spend £560k replacing more than 100 wooden poles and installing new overhead lines between Uig and Dunvegan on Skye, work it says will improve reliability for nearly 1,000 homes and businesses.
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.