Powering Homes news, page 38
- February 2025
National Infrastructure Commission published its distribution networks study
The National Infrastructure Commission published a study on 21 February 2025 setting out 14 recommendations to prepare Britain's local electricity distribution networks for net zero.
Citizens Advice responds to Ofgem consultation on energy debt relief scheme
Citizens Advice has welcomed Ofgem's proposed energy debt relief scheme but wants it simplified, focused on crisis-caused debt and financed by energy networks at zero interest rather than by consumers.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapEnergy Suppliers
SSEN Priority Services Register reaches one million customers
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks has signed up its one millionth Priority Services Register customer, saying more of its 3.9 million customers now have tailored support during power outages.
Mitsubishi Electric launches augmented reality app for Ecodan heat pumps
Mitsubishi Electric has launched an augmented reality app that lets households see how an Ecodan air source heat pump would fit in their home before they buy one.
Resolution Foundation publishes Sunny day savings on rooftop solar and bills
The Resolution Foundation says a 3kW rooftop solar system could save a family up to £440 a year and cut fuel poor households' bills by 24 per cent, but warns that upfront costs are locking poorer households out.
Trust publishes response to Ofgem debt relief consultation
The British Gas Energy Trust has backed a targeted one-off energy debt relief scheme in its response to Ofgem's consultation, provided it forms part of a long-term affordability strategy.
Consultation opened on improving the energy performance of privately rented homes
The government has published its response to a consultation on raising minimum energy efficiency standards for privately rented homes in England and Wales to EPC C by 2030.
Energy Ombudsman responds to Ofgem Forward Work Programme 2025/6 consultation
The Energy Ombudsman has backed Ofgem's 2025/6 work programme, including standing charge reform, debt and affordability work, smart meter enforcement and licensing of aggregators from 2026.
Warmer Homes London launched by the Mayor in partnership with London Councils
Warmer Homes London launched on 7 February 2025, a Mayor of London and London Councils scheme using the Warm Homes: Local Grant to improve energy efficiency in homes across 31 boroughs.
Consumer Scotland publishes response to Ofgem debt relief scheme consultation
Consumer Scotland has published its response to Ofgem's consultation on a debt relief scheme, backing a Debt Guarantee and a shorter back-billing limit for households with smart meters.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapEnergy Suppliers
Ofgem consultation on debt relief scheme closes
Ofgem's consultation on improving debt standards and on a proposed debt relief scheme closed on 6 February 2025, with decisions intended to be in place for next winter.
Ofgem publishes response to ECO4 and GBIS mid-scheme changes consultation
Ofgem has published its response to the government's consultation on mid-scheme changes to the Energy Company Obligation 4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme.
CCC advises 87% emissions cut by 2040 under seventh carbon budget
The Climate Change Committee has advised that the UK cut emissions to 87% below 1990 levels by 2040, in its seventh carbon budget advice covering 2038 to 2042.
CCC gave Seventh Carbon Budget advice to UK Government
The Climate Change Committee's Seventh Carbon Budget advice, given to the UK Government in February 2025, sets out a Balanced Pathway to Net Zero with detailed implications for home heating and buildings.
CCC publishes 7th Carbon Budget advice
The Climate Change Committee's seventh carbon budget advice predicts household use of non-heat pump electric heating will rise from 7 per cent to 16 per cent by 2040, with flexible thermal storage reaching 15.7GW.
Climate Change Committee advises no role for hydrogen in heating buildings
The Climate Change Committee's seventh Carbon Budget advice to government found no role for hydrogen in heating buildings, according to a consultation response citing the committee's position.
Climate Change Committee publishes seventh carbon budget
The Climate Change Committee's seventh carbon budget set out the role heat pumps will play in meeting UK carbon targets, with around half of UK homes needing one by 2040.
Committee launches two-part cost of energy inquiry
The Energy Security and Net Zero Committee opened a two-part inquiry into the causes of and solutions to high energy costs in the UK, with its first report published in October 2025.
DESNZ consulted on proposals to expand the Warm Home Discount scheme
The government consulted in February 2025 on expanding the Warm Home Discount, a £150 electricity bill rebate, and confirmed in June that the wider eligibility rules would apply from winter 2025/26.
Energy UK responds to Government consultation on EPC reform
Energy UK has responded to the Government's consultation on reforming the Energy Performance of Buildings regime in England and Wales, backing four new EPC metrics and faster progress.
UK gas prices reach two-year high
UK gas prices reached a two-year high in early February 2025 before falling back, with the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit warning that gas remains the main driver of household energy bills.
Government consults on reforming EPCs with new metrics
The government is consulting on reforming Energy Performance Certificates, proposing a primary fabric performance standard with a secondary standard based on smart readiness or heating system efficiency.
Government publishes consultation on review of the fuel poverty strategy
The government published a consultation in February 2025 on a new fuel poverty strategy for England, seeking views on how to accelerate progress to deliver warm homes.
MCS begins tracking self build installations
MCS began recording certified renewable installations on self build properties from February 2025, a category that accounted for 1% of its certified work last year.
NIC report on electricity distribution networks published
The National Infrastructure Commission has said the UK will need £37 to 50 billion of investment in electricity distribution by 2050 to deliver flexibility, according to a February 2025 report.
Ofgem announced it would fine suppliers breaching back billing rules
Ofgem said in February 2025 that it would fine energy suppliers that keep breaching its back billing rules, which limit how far back a supplier can charge for energy used.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapEnergy Suppliers
Ofgem announces third consecutive price cap rise for April to June 2025
Ofgem has set the April to June 2025 Default Tariff Cap at £1,849 a year for a typical dual fuel household, a third consecutive rise and the first April cap above January's since quarterly updates began.
Ofgem launched a consultation on a zero standing charge option within the energy price cap
Ofgem has opened a consultation on a zero standing charge option within the energy price cap, setting out three ways to move fixed daily charges into higher unit prices.
Ofgem opens stakeholder consultation on RTS licence modification
Ofgem has opened a stakeholder consultation on changing electricity supply licence conditions covering metering obligations, as the Radio Teleswitch Service is due to end in June 2025.
Ofgem ran initial consultation on Debt Relief Scheme proposals
StepChange has set out its response to Ofgem's initial consultation on the proposed Energy Debt Relief Scheme, backing automatic eligibility and questioning conditions attached to debt write-off.