Powering Homes news, page 42
- December 2024
Government proposes minimum EPC C for rental properties by 2030
The UK government has proposed raising the minimum energy efficiency standard for privately rented homes in England and Wales to EPC band C by 2030, with new tenancies required to comply by 2028.
Government published the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan
The government published the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan in December 2024, setting an accelerated timeframe for decarbonising the UK's energy and power sectors.
Government published an updated National Planning Policy Framework
The Government published an updated, growth-focused National Planning Policy Framework in December 2024, part of a wider push to speed up clean power projects and reach net zero.
Government sets out plan for a new era of clean electricity
The government set out plans in December 2024 for a "new era of clean electricity", as official figures show gas demand at its lowest level since the early 1990s.
Heat pump installations hit record 60,000 in 2024
MCS certified contractors passed 5,250 in early 2025, the highest since the scheme began in 2008, after heat pump installations reached a record 60,000 in 2024.
Mean modelled annual running costs fall to £2,640 in 2024
Mean modelled annual running costs for Scottish households fell to £2,640 in 2024, down around 16.3% from £3,150 in 2023, as domestic fuel prices declined.
National Planning Policy Framework reformed
England's National Planning Policy Framework was reformed in December 2024 after a consultation, with the government stating that delivery of net zero infrastructure at the required pace depends on addressing planning system delays.
Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard launched
The Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard, launched in late 2024, sets operational energy limits and on-site renewable generation targets for all building types, according to the UK Green Building Council.
Ofgem consults on delivery, funding and eligibility options for an energy debt relief scheme
Ofgem has opened a consultation on whether to create an energy debt relief scheme, setting out delivery, audit, funding and eligibility options for support aimed at crisis-era arrears.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapGrants and Schemes
Ofgem consults on a one-off Energy Debt Relief Scheme
Ofgem consulted in December 2024 on a one-off Energy Debt Relief Scheme that could support up to 2.3 million customers and write off between £0.5bn and £1bn of crisis-era energy debt.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapGrants and Schemes
Ofgem launches energy price cap consultations
Ofgem opened consultations in December 2024 on the energy price cap, including one on supplier operating costs and debt allowances, drawing a response from the British Gas Energy Trust.
Ofgem published its Debt Strategy
Ofgem has set out how it will reset historic crisis debt, raise debt standards and reform debt management, with a Debt Relief Scheme expected to help up to 200,000 households.
Ofgem Review launched with call for evidence
The government has opened the first comprehensive review of Ofgem in its 25-year history, calling for evidence on the regulator's powers, duties and consumer protection role.
Oxford smoke control area expands to cover the entire city
Oxford's smoke control area replaced its existing zones and expanded to cover the whole city from 1 December 2024, following a consultation in which 51.92% of respondents backed the change.
New phase of Warm Home Prescription launched with SGN and Fuel Bank Foundation
Energy Systems Catapult has launched a new phase of its Warm Home Prescription service with SGN and the Fuel Bank Foundation, offering energy credits of up to £245 to eligible households in Scotland and southern England.
REMA autumn update rules out separate renewables market options
The government's December 2024 REMA autumn update ruled out the green power pool and split market options, ending proposals for a separate market for renewables in Great Britain.
Requirements commence for other private tenancies
Alarm requirements under the Smoke, Heat and Carbon Monoxide Alarms for Private Tenancies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 now apply to all private tenancies in Northern Ireland, having commenced for new tenancies on 1 September 2024.
Scottish fuel poverty rate falls to 28.7% in 2024
The Scottish House Condition Survey 2024 estimates 732,000 households, 28.7 per cent of Scotland's total, were in fuel poverty, down from 859,000 and 33.9 per cent in 2023 as heating fuel prices fell.
StatisticsScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandYour Type of Home
So Energy introduces 0% finance option for solar installations
So Energy has introduced a 0% finance option that lets customers spread the cost of a solar installation, the supplier said in a December 2024 article on solar panel costs.
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.