Powering Homes News: page 55
- March 2024
Secretary of State correspondence published on consultation responses
Correspondence dated 14 March 2024 from the Secretary of State covers the Boiler Upgrade Scheme consultation response, an addendum to the Clean Heat Market Mechanism response, and the Improving Boiler Standards and Efficiency response.
Installer update published for safety notice
Ideal Heating has published an installer update to its February safety notice, confirming a safety upgrade for boilers made between August 2022 and 7 January 2024.
NIA responds to Scottish Government Heat in Buildings Bill consultation
The National Insulation Association has told the Scottish Government it supports its Heat in Buildings Bill proposals but wants solid wall insulation added to the list of measures used to meet minimum energy efficiency standards.
Rules and RegulationInsulation and GlazingScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
SSEN and partners announce accelerated connection timescales for 7,800 homes in West London
SSEN Distribution and National Grid have brought forward connection dates for 7,800 homes across three West London boroughs using ramped connections, with projects once slated for the 2030s now able to connect within 12 to 24 months.
Publication of the second REMA consultation
The second Review of Electricity Market Arrangements consultation, published on 12 March 2024, asks for views on options to cut thermal constraint costs, which made up 40 per cent of balancing costs in 2023/24.
SSEN announces completion of VFES vulnerability innovation project
SSEN Distribution has completed the VFES innovation project, funded by Ofgem's Network Innovation Allowance, which predicts where and when communities are most vulnerable to power cuts and to missing out on low-carbon technology.
Children's rights impact assessment published for new Warm Homes Programme
The Welsh Government has published a children's rights impact assessment for its new Warm Homes Programme, which replaces Nest and extends eligibility to low income households as well as those on benefits.
Grants and SchemesYour Type of HomeScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Heat in Buildings Bill consultation closes
The Scottish Government's consultation on proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill closed on 8 March 2024 after receiving over 1,600 responses, and the Bill has since been redrafted.
Social Housing Net Zero Standard consultation closed
The Scottish Government's consultation on a new Social Housing Net Zero Standard closed on 8 March 2024, with responses now under independent analysis ahead of a report.
Rules and RegulationYour Type of HomeScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Welsh Government publishes integrated impact assessment for new Warm Homes Programme
The Welsh Government has published an integrated impact assessment for its new Warm Homes Programme, setting out a £260 million cost, carbon savings and a worst first approach to fuel poverty.
Grants and SchemesYour Type of HomeScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Which? publishes response to Scottish Government consultation on Heat In Buildings Bill
Which? has responded to the Scottish Government's consultation on the Heat in Buildings Bill, backing long term targets and installer certification while warning that support must match the scale of the change.
Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation closes
The government consultation on the Future Homes and Buildings Standards closed on 6 March 2024, setting the rules for energy efficiency and heating in new homes in England.
Spring Budget 2024 delivered by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt
Jeremy Hunt's Spring Budget on 6 March 2024 cut employee National Insurance by 2p, extended the 5p fuel duty cut and launched a Public Sector Productivity Programme.
UK first Powercast feature launched by UK Power Networks and ev.energy
UK Power Networks and ev.energy have launched Powercast, a free app feature that notifies electric vehicle drivers in London, the South East and East of England about power cuts affecting their charging.
HPA reports 166% increase in qualified heat pump installers
The Heat Pump Association reports that the number of people completing eligible heat pump installer training rose 166 per cent in 2023, from just under 3,000 in 2022 to close to 8,000.
AECB reports Prospecthill Court retrofit as biggest AECB Retrofit project thus far in the UK
River Clyde Homes is retrofitting 90 flats in a 15-storey Greenock tower block with Kier Group, a project the AECB describes as its largest UK retrofit and the first to its standards in Scotland.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme allowance increased to £7,500 per heat pump installation
MCS has said the Boiler Upgrade Scheme allowance has recently been increased to £7,500 per air source and ground or water source heat pump installation in England and Wales.
Chancellor confirms end of the Energy Price Guarantee
The Chancellor has confirmed the Energy Price Guarantee will end and left tariff reform out of the Spring Budget, closing the scheme that capped household unit rates.
Confirmation of new EV battery manufacturing facility in Somerset
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has confirmed a multi-billion pound electric vehicle battery manufacturing facility will be built in Somerset, providing 4,000 skilled jobs.
Covid-19 cap amendment to end in March 2024
Ofgem's temporary amendment to the energy price cap, which allowed suppliers to recover additional costs incurred during the Covid-19 pandemic, runs until March 2024, Energy UK has said.
Energy price guarantee backstop due to end
The energy price guarantee stays as a backstop until the end of March 2024, after which the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero will consult on arrangements for vulnerable consumers.
Energy Price Guarantee and cost of living payments to end
The Energy Price Guarantee and cost of living payments end on 31 March 2024, leaving the Household Support Fund as the only extended support and no new money for energy efficiency.
Energy Price Guarantee support to expire at end of March 2024
Ofgem has confirmed that Energy Price Guarantee support ends on 31 March 2024, replaced from 1 April by a levelisation allowance that cuts prepayment standing charges and raises Direct Debit bills slightly.
ESO outlines Beyond 2030 report
The Electricity System Operator set out its Beyond 2030 report in March 2024, recommending transmission network investment for the 2030s to support a decarbonised grid.
Existing Nest scheme to end in March 2024
The Welsh Government has confirmed its Warm Homes Nest scheme will close at the end of March 2024, with a replacement programme starting on 1 April to avoid any gap in provision.
Fuel Insecurity Fund ceased
The Scottish Government's Fuel Insecurity Fund ceased in 2024/25, after making more than £63 million available to households since late winter 2020.
Government delays Clean Heat Market Mechanism to April 2025
The government has delayed the Clean Heat Market Mechanism, the scheme that would have fined boiler makers for missing heat pump sales targets, to a proposed April 2025 start.
Household Support Fund extended by six months with £500 million
The Household Support Fund, which was due to close on 31 March 2024, has been extended by six months so that a further £500 million reaches vulnerable households before 30 September 2024.
Hypervolt launches Managed Installations Programme with loveelectric
Hypervolt launched a Managed Installations Programme with salary sacrifice provider loveelectric on 1 March 2024, with OVO engineers installing Home 3 Pro chargers for partnership customers.
Market Stabilisation Charge extension period ends
Ofgem has allowed the Market Stabilisation Charge to expire at the end of its extension period in March 2024, confirming no adjustment to the price cap for wholesale costs incurred between October 2022 and September 2023.