Powering Homes news, page 37
- March 2025
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.
Heat Pump Association reacts to CCC Carbon Budget 7 advice
The Heat Pump Association has responded to the Climate Change Committee's seventh carbon budget advice, citing 450,000 heat pump installations a year by 2030 and calling for action on electricity and gas price disparity.
SGN and Independent Age launch CO alarm and energy advice partnership
Independent Age and gas distributor SGN have launched a partnership giving 5,000 free carbon monoxide alarms and energy advice to vulnerable older households in southern England until 2026.
Consultation on expanding the Warm Home Discount Scheme 2025 to 2026 published
The government has confirmed it will extend the Warm Home Discount in England and Wales to all households on means-tested benefits, but has dropped plans to widen the Park Homes scheme.
Debt allowance extension announced
Ofgem has extended the debt allowance that supports suppliers helping customers who struggle to pay, announced alongside a 6% rise in the price cap from April 2025.
DESNZ publishes consultation on expanding WHD support for SY15
DESNZ has published a consultation on expanding Warm Home Discount support for scheme year 15, with the resulting changes due to come into force in September 2025.
Government consults on expanding the Warm Home Discount
The government has opened a consultation on expanding the Warm Home Discount, proposing to bring around 2.7 million more households into the £150 scheme from next winter.
Government extends Warm Home Discount Scheme
Ofgem has confirmed the energy price cap will rise 6 per cent to £1,849 a year from April 2025, and noted a government extension to the Warm Home Discount Scheme.
NEA polling finds 49% of GB adults expect to ration energy
National Energy Action polling with YouGov finds 49% of GB adults expect to ration energy, as Ofgem raises the price cap 6.4% to £1,849 a year for a typical household from 1 April.
Ofgem announces energy price cap increase for April to June 2025
Ofgem has raised the energy price cap by 6.4 per cent for April to June 2025, taking a typical household bill to £1,849 a year, and the government is consulting on a wider Warm Home Discount.
Ofgem confirms extension of the price cap debt-related costs Float allowance
Ofgem has confirmed it will keep the temporary debt-related costs allowance in the energy price cap at £31 per dual fuel customer until its operating costs review takes effect or September 2025.
Ofgem opens consultation on tariff without standing charge
Ofgem has opened an industry consultation on introducing a tariff without a standing charge, announced alongside a 6% rise in the price cap for April to June 2025.