Powering Homes news, page 56
- April 2024
NEA fuel poverty estimate updated for the price cap from 1 April 2024
National Energy Action's estimate that 6 million UK households, 21.1 per cent, are in fuel poverty applies from 1 April 2024, when the new Ofgem price cap took effect.
Ofgem began reviewing permanent removal of prepayment premium
Ofgem began work in April 2024 on options to remove the prepayment meter price premium for good, after a temporary ban on charging prepayment customers more took effect in July 2023.
Ofgem confirms technical changes to price cap wholesale model taking effect from April 2024
Ofgem has confirmed technical changes to the wholesale cost allowance model used to set the energy price cap, taking effect from April 2024, and decided against adjusting the cap for 2022 to 2023 wholesale costs.
Energy Bills and the Price CapRules and RegulationWhere Our Energy Comes From
Ofgem to consult on operating cost allowances in spring 2024
Ofgem expects to consult in spring 2024 on changes to operating cost allowances, following a call for input and its analysis of requests for information.
Ofgem planned formal consultation on Consumer Consent for Spring 2024
Ofgem has said it will publish a consultation in spring 2024 setting out proposed decisions on how energy consumers give, manage and revoke consent to share their data.
Ofgem price cap from April 2024 puts poorly insulated homes around £340 a year worse off on gas bills
Analysis from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit finds that under Ofgem's April 2024 price cap, homes rated EPC band F pay around £340 a year more for gas than band C homes.
Energy Bills and the Price CapRules and RegulationInsulation and Glazing
OVO electricity standing charge rises to 60.31p per day
A customer on the OVO community forum reports their electricity standing charge rising from 43.39p per day in 2023 to 60.31p per day from 1 April 2024, and asks why.
Prepayment meter standing charges levelled with Direct Debit under the price cap
From 1 April 2024 prepayment meter standing charges fall to the level paid by direct debit customers under Ofgem's price cap, ending the long-standing prepayment premium.
Energy Bills and the Price CapRules and RegulationStatistics
Recast EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive adopted
The recast EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive was adopted in April 2024, setting renovation and zero-emission building goals that the Scottish Government says it aims to align with where possible.
New redeveloped MCS Scheme comes into effect
The redeveloped MCS Scheme took effect on 1 April 2024, resetting the consumer protections that sit behind certified small-scale renewable installations in UK homes.
REMA update includes zonal pricing as an option for further consideration
Ofgem's discussion paper on the future of the default tariff price cap sets out options for reform, including zonal wholesale pricing, and asks for responses by 10 May 2024.
Standing charges rise as unit costs fall slightly from 1 April
Electricity standing charges rise 13% and gas standing charges 6% from 1 April 2024, while unit costs fall slightly, as analysis puts energy firm profits at over £420 billion since the crisis began.
Supplier switches must complete within five working days with £30 compensation
Ofgem rules in force from 1 April 2024 require energy suppliers to complete a customer's switch within five working days, with £30 compensation payable if the deadline is missed.
Rules and RegulationEnergy SuppliersEnergy Bills and the Price Cap
Temporary debt-related costs allowance introduced in the price cap
Ofgem introduced a temporary allowance in the price cap from April 2024 letting suppliers recover debt-related costs incurred between April 2022 and March 2024 above the permanent allowances.
Third £299 cost of living payment due in spring 2024
The final £299 instalment of the £900 means-tested cost of living payment is due in spring 2024, following £301 paid in spring 2023 and £300 in autumn 2023.
TrustMark notifies DESNZ of suspected fraud under ECO schemes
The National Audit Office reports that TrustMark told DESNZ in April 2024 that some retrofit businesses were suspected of overclaiming for work carried out under the Energy Company Obligation.
Updated WHQS 2023 standard published
The Welsh Government has published an updated Welsh Housing Quality Standard, WHQS 2023, adding guidance on carbon emissions across housing portfolios and on whole stock assessments and the Target Energy Pathway.
Rules and RegulationScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandYour Type of Home
Warm Homes advice service full public launch
The Welsh Government has confirmed that a full public Warm Homes advice service will be launched on 1 April 2024, offering impartial advice on using energy more efficiently.
Warm Homes Nest scheme launched
The Welsh Government launched its new demand-led Warm Homes Nest scheme on 1 April 2024, replacing the previous Nest contract, which ran to the end of March 2024.
Wave 2.2 grant funding allocated
The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund's Wave 2.2 allocated £75.5 million of grant funding in April 2024, building on £778 million awarded under Wave 2.1 in March 2023.
New Welsh Government Warm Homes programme launched
A new Welsh Government Warm Homes programme began on 1 April 2024, shifting support towards low carbon measures such as heat pumps and solar panels, as Nest published its 2023-24 annual report.
Grants and SchemesScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandHeat Pumps
WHAM funding taken over by Wales & West Utilities
The Centre for Sustainable Energy says its WHAM advice service in Bristol, BANES and North Somerset has been funded by Wales & West Utilities since April 2024.
- March 2024
Energy price cap levels updated for 1 April to 30 June 2024 with standing charge levelisation introduced
Ofgem has set the default tariff cap for 1 April to 30 June 2024 at £1,690 for a typical Direct Debit household, down £238, and has levelled prepayment standing charges with Direct Debit.
Market Stabilisation Charge expired
The Market Stabilisation Charge expired on 31 March 2024, removing a levy that suppliers could previously apply when a household switched away from them during the energy crisis.
ECIU analysis finds Government policy pushing UK backwards on energy security
A year after the Government's Powering Up Britain strategy, the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit says recent policy changes have increased the UK's reliance on imported gas and oil.
Rules and RegulationWhere Our Energy Comes FromEnergy Independence
Ohme Home Pro eligibility changed to both commercial and residential
The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles has reclassified Ohme's Home Pro chargepoint as eligible for both commercial and residential grants, opening it to household grant funding.
Scottish Government publishes analysis of phase 3 PDR consultation responses
The Scottish Government has published its analysis of 467 responses to a consultation on extending permitted development rights for renewable energy equipment, with most proposals drawing majority support.
Statutory instrument on solar Permitted Development Rights laid before Scottish parliament
The Scottish Government laid a statutory instrument before parliament on 28 March 2024 to simplify permitted development rules for solar, with changes expected to take effect on 24 May.
Rules and RegulationSolar PanelsScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Consultation on the Home Energy Model: Future Homes Standard Assessment closed
The National Insulation Association has published its response to the Home Energy Model consultation, which closed on 27 March 2024 and will set the assessment method for the Future Homes Standard.
Solar Energy UK submits response to Future Homes and Buildings Standards 2023 consultation
Solar Energy UK has told the Government it backs an amended Option 1 with mandated solar in the Future Homes and Buildings Standards, opposes Option 2, and has flagged a bug in the Home Energy Model.