Powering Homes News: page 40
- December 2024
Statutory consultation on operating cost and debt allowances published
Ofgem has published its December 2024 statutory consultation on four new operating cost and debt allowances for the energy price cap, setting out its minded-to positions.
Storm Darragh causes widespread power cuts in NGED areas
National Grid Electricity Distribution has confirmed storm payment thresholds were exceeded across its licence areas after Storm Darragh, and has offered some affected customers a one-off goodwill payment on top of guaranteed standards payments.
Suppliers completed contacting RTS customers
All electricity customers with Radio Teleswitch meters should have been contacted by their supplier about a free smart meter upgrade by the end of 2024, ahead of the service ending on 30 June 2025.
Weighted fuel price index for Scotland falls 23.3% in 2024
The weighted average index price of heating fuels in Scotland fell by about 23.3% in 2024 against 2023, with gas down 25.0% and electricity down 15.2%, as fuel poverty fell to 28.7% of households.
StatisticsBoilers and HeatingScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Winter Heating Payments to be paid from December 2024
Winter Heating Payments of £58.75 will be paid automatically from December 2024 to people in Scotland receiving certain benefits, alongside Child Winter Heating Payments and the Warm Home Discount.
- November 2024
Citizens Advice urges Ofgem to limit back-billing to six months for smart meter customers
Citizens Advice has called on Ofgem to cut the back-billing window to six months for smart meter customers, after helping with more than 52,000 energy billing problems in 2024.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapEnergy Suppliers
DESNZ publishes options assessment on raising heat pump minimum energy performance standards
DESNZ has set out proposed minimum energy performance standards for heat pumps in Great Britain, with higher seasonal space heating efficiency thresholds from 2027 and again from 2029.
DFS became a year-round in-merit service
The Demand Flexibility Service moved from a winter-only scheme to a year-round, in-merit margin tool on 27 November 2024, giving the system operator a standing option to pay households and businesses for shifting electricity use.
MCS published an update on scheme redevelopment
MCS has set out what its redeveloped certification scheme will contain when documents are published in January 2025, with a transition period expected to run for 12 to 18 months.
SMMT calls for urgent government intervention due to weak EV demand and ZEV Mandate costs
The UK automotive trade body has called for urgent government intervention on the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate, saying weak electric vehicle demand will cost the industry almost £6 billion in 2024.
Clean Heat Market Mechanism implementation confirmed from 1 April 2025
The Government has confirmed the Clean Heat Market Mechanism will be implemented from 1 April 2025, alongside Warm Homes Plan funding of about £1bn for retrofit in 2025/26.
Ofgem approved REC Change Proposal R0209
Ofgem has approved a Retail Energy Code change proposal setting out how Market-wide Half-Hourly Settlement arrangements will be implemented across the electricity retail market.
Uswitch updates EV charging cost guide
Uswitch updated its electric car charging cost and charging time guides on 26 November 2024, setting out current average unit rates, example charging costs and home charging times.
Which? reports heat pumps can be cheapest way to heat a home with grants and specialist tariffs
Which? has reported that combining the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant with specialist heat pump tariffs can make heat pumps the cheapest way to heat a home, with savings of up to £560 a year.
SSEN restores power to all customers affected by Storm Bert
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks has reconnected every home and business left without power by Storm Bert, after high winds and flooding damaged overhead lines across its north and south distribution areas.
WH:SHF Wave 3 application window closes
The application window for Wave 3 of the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund closed at midday on 25 November 2024, ending bidding for a scheme originally allocated £1.29bn for social housing retrofit in England.
Ember reports rising gas costs driving up GB electricity prices
Ember reports that gas prices rising through 2024 have pushed up the cost of gas-fired electricity in Great Britain and fed into the 1.2% increase in the energy price cap.
MCS publishes response to MCS 020 consultation and sets out key changes to the standard
MCS has published its response to the MCS 020 consultation, confirming a split into two standards, a 37 dB(A) overall sound limit and publication of sound power levels on its Product Directory.
Ofgem sets price cap for 1 January to 31 March 2025
Ofgem has set the energy price cap for 1 January to 31 March 2025 at £1,738 a year for a typical Direct Debit dual fuel household, a rise of £21 or 1.2% on the current level.
£500 million allocated to Warm Homes: Local Grant in Autumn Budget
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has allocated £500 million from the Autumn Budget to the Warm Homes: Local Grant, for delivery in England from 2025 to 2028.
DESNZ announces further £30 million for BUS in 2024/25, raising Year 3 budget to £180 million
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has added £30 million to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme for 2024/25, taking the Year 3 budget to £180 million.
DESNZ announces measures to support low-carbon heating
DESNZ has added £30 million to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme this financial year, set a reformed Clean Heat Market Mechanism for 1 April 2025 and removed the one metre boundary rule for air source heat pumps in England.
EDF launches 12-month fixed tariff priced below the January price cap
EDF has launched a 12-month fixed tariff at £1,608 for a typical direct debit household, which it says is £130 below the level the January price cap is expected to reach.
Government announces BUS budget increase to £295 million for 2025/26
The government has almost doubled the Boiler Upgrade Scheme budget to £295 million for 2025/26, up from £205 million in 2024/25, as part of wider plans to grow the heat pump market.
Government announces Warm Homes Plan steps with boosted heat pump funding and planning reform
The government has set out the first steps of its Warm Homes Plan, boosting Boiler Upgrade Scheme funding, removing the one metre heat pump planning rule in England and reforming the Clean Heat Market Mechanism.
SSEN moves to Weather Warning status ahead of Storm Bert
SSEN has moved to Weather Warning status ahead of Storm Bert, bringing in extra teams and texting 750,000 Priority Services Register customers before severe weather on 23 and 24 November.
Total funding available for local authorities announced
The government has announced the total funding available to local authorities for the Warm Homes: Local Grant, a £500 million scheme to upgrade low-income homes in England from 2025.
The autumn 2024 energy price cap disclosure consultation closed
Ofgem's call for input on disclosure arrangements for the autumn 2024 energy price cap consultation closed on 20 November 2024, covering how models and data are shared with stakeholders.
Energy UK publishes Winter 2024 Commitment for household customers
Energy UK and 15 suppliers covering almost the entire market have published a Winter 2024 Commitment setting out financial help, debt advice and service standards for household customers.
Cornwall Insight report models up to £650 annual savings from heat pump flexing
A Cornwall Insight model commissioned by Nesta finds heat pump owners could save up to £650 a year by moving to a time-of-use tariff and shifting heat demand away from peak times.