Powering Homes news, page 58
- March 2024
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.
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.