Powering Homes News: page 56
- March 2024
NAO report highlights challenges in decarbonising home heating
The National Audit Office's March 2024 report found delays and cancellations in hydrogen heating trials and lower than expected Boiler Upgrade Scheme uptake, drawing industry criticism of the advice behind heat policy.
NEA launches GB-wide fuel poverty and health programme
National Energy Action has launched Warm Homes, Healthy Futures, a Great Britain wide fuel poverty and health programme backed by the four gas distribution networks, with delivery starting in May.
Nesta heat pump suitability mapping project begins
Nesta began a project in March 2024 to map how suitable different types of heat pump are for neighbourhoods across Great Britain, aiming to build an impartial dataset for local heat planning.
Ofgem publishes Affordability and debt call for input
Ofgem has opened a call for input on affordability and debt in the domestic retail market, with responses due in May 2024, as household energy debt reaches record levels.
Ofgem publishes Future of domestic price protection discussion paper
Ofgem has published a discussion paper on the future of domestic price protection, asking whether the default tariff price cap should be reformed as the retail energy market changes.
Order made extending Scottish permitted development rights for renewables, windows and electricity network infrastructure
The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2024 extends permitted development rights for domestic and non-domestic renewables, window replacement and electricity network infrastructure.
Rules and RegulationScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandSolar Panels
OVO Charge Anytime beta in progress for Hypervolt chargers
Hypervolt has said it is working with OVO and Kaluza on a beta for OVO Charge Anytime, with news on next steps expected within weeks, alongside a new telemetry feature.
UK regulators publish joint debt collection statement
The FCA, Ofgem, Ofwat and Ofcom have published a joint debt collection statement through the UK Regulators' Network, setting four expected outcomes for how utilities treat customers in debt.
New repairing standard elements commence
New elements of Scotland's repairing standard covering safe kitchens, fixed heating, safe access to common parts, secure common doors, residual current devices and other fuels took effect for private rented homes on 1 March 2024.
Residential firmware bundle 4.20.32 released
SolarEdge has published residential firmware bundle 4.20.32, adding G100 compliance for its Home EV Charger in the UK, Home Network and Zigbee mixing, and faster Power Optimizer detection.
SMMT publishes findings on EV buyer deferral and calls for VAT changes in Spring Budget
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders says half of would-be electric car buyers now plan to wait until after 2030, and has asked the Chancellor to halve VAT on new private EV purchases.
Spring 2024 Budget extends Windfall Tax and Household Support Fund but ends other support
The Spring 2024 Budget extended the Windfall Tax and the Household Support Fund for limited periods, but ended other bill support on 31 March and announced no new energy efficiency funding.
Spring Budget 2024 delivered without private EV fiscal incentives
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has called the Spring Budget a missed opportunity on private electric vehicle demand, after it delivered no fiscal incentives for private buyers.
SSE has hubs live at five M7 retail parks with 15 more in planning
SSE has opened ultra-rapid charging hubs at five M7 retail parks and says a further 15 are going through planning, as it works towards 500 hubs by 2030.
- February 2024
Citizens Advice responds to DESNZ consultation on heat network zoning
Citizens Advice has told the government it supports heat network zoning but wants consumer protection built into the policy, warning that leaving a heat network is extremely difficult once a building is connected.
Kensa launches Shoebox NX Ground Source Heat Pump
Kensa has launched the Shoebox NX ground source heat pump, a British-made unit it says can decarbonise heating for 60 per cent of UK homes when used in shared ground loop networks.
Scottish House Condition Survey 2022 key findings published
The Scottish Government's 2022 Scottish House Condition Survey puts fuel poverty at 31% of households, around 791,000, up from 24.6% in 2019, with 18.5% in extreme fuel poverty.
StatisticsScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandYour Type of Home
SSEN becomes first DNO to publish full smart meter half-hourly consumption datasets
SSEN Distribution has become the first UK distribution network operator to publish its full smart meter half-hourly consumption datasets, covering over 1.8 million meters across its north and south licence areas.
Utility Warehouse launches Fixed Saver 15 and Fixed 15 fixed energy tariffs
Utility Warehouse has launched two fixed energy tariffs priced below both the January and April 2024 price caps, with the cheaper option requiring customers to move two other services to the supplier.
Warranty document issued for RI-ENERGYFLOW inverters
Rayleigh Instruments has published warranty conditions for its RI-ENERGYFLOW-MINI and 3P series inverters, offering a 10 year repair or replace term to end users from the date of purchase.
SSEN announces £2.2m Dorchester Town Green Recovery upgrade under way
SSEN Distribution has confirmed a £2.2m nine-month upgrade in Dorchester Town, adding 7.2MW of capacity for more than 21,000 homes and businesses, due to finish by November 2024.
Two-week trial of Visit a Heat Pump ran before nationwide launch
Nesta began a two-week trial of its Visit a Heat Pump booking platform on 28 February 2024, ahead of the scheme's nationwide launch, according to the charity's later report on the service.
£28 bad debt cost added to annual bills for 12 months
Ofgem has added £28 to annual energy bills for 12 months within the April price cap to help suppliers recover bad debt costs, as the cap falls to £1,690.
Ofgem announces April-June 2024 price cap
Ofgem has set the April to June 2024 price cap, which the Resolution Foundation says will produce the second biggest percentage fall in consumer energy prices since the cap began in 2019.
Ofgem announces price cap level for 1 April to 30 June 2024
Ofgem has set the energy price cap for 1 April to 30 June 2024 at a typical dual-fuel annual bill of £1,690, a 12 per cent fall, with prepayment meters becoming the cheapest way to pay.
Ofgem decides not to adjust energy price cap for additional wholesale costs
Ofgem has decided not to adjust the energy price cap for differences between wholesale costs and allowances over October 2022 to September 2023, and will make two small technical changes to its wholesale allowance model.
Smart meter In-Home Display voluntary replacement principles first published
The government has published voluntary principles under which energy suppliers agree to provide replacement in-home displays after the 12-month period in which they are obliged to maintain the equipment.
EDF acquires solar panel and battery installer Contact Solar
EDF has acquired Chorley-based solar panel and battery installer Contact Solar, its second installer purchase in a year, as it builds towards combined solar, battery, heat pump and EV offers.
Government responds in written statement to CMA consumer protection review
The Government has accepted that retrofit consumers face difficulties and a confusing standards landscape, in a written statement responding to the competition watchdog's green heating and insulation review.
Westminster Hall debate on cavity wall insulation government support
The government has acknowledged poorly executed cavity wall insulation installations and says it is fully committed to protecting consumers with insulation products in their homes.