Powering Homes News: page 62
- December 2023
Octopus Electroverse launches Plunge Pricing
Octopus Electroverse launched Plunge Pricing at the end of 2023, cutting public charging prices during periods of high energy supply, with discounts that vary by event and operator.
Octopus Energy completes takeover of Shell Energy Retail
Ofgem has published supplier level satisfaction findings showing Octopus Energy at 84 per cent overall satisfaction, with Shell Energy Retail recorded separately because the survey predates its takeover.
Octopus overtakes British Gas as largest electricity supplier
Octopus Energy became the UK's largest electricity supplier in late 2023, overtaking British Gas after completing its purchase of Shell Energy's household customers.
Ofgem consulted on a wholesale cost adjustment to the price cap and technical changes to the Annex 2 model
Ofgem has set out minded-to positions on whether to adjust the energy price cap for wholesale costs incurred between October 2022 and September 2023, alongside proposed technical changes to its Annex 2 model.
Ofgem consumer service standards reforms took effect
Ofgem's consumer service standards reforms took effect in December 2023, one of six Tariff Watch recommendations campaigners say have been implemented while nine others remain unaddressed.
Petitions with over 800,000 signatures handed to the Prime Minister on energy bills and cold homes
Petitions carrying more than 800,000 signatures have been handed to the Prime Minister, as new figures show 8.3 million UK adults living in cold damp homes this winter.
Energy Bills and the Price CapRules and RegulationYour Type of Home
UK public EV charging network grew 45% year on year
The UK had 53,906 public EV charging stations across 31,056 locations as of December 2023, a 45% rise on December 2022, according to figures published by an installer.
Release 1 of the Open Balancing Platform went live
The first release of the Open Balancing Platform went live in December 2023, part of the Electricity System Operator's work to cut the cost of balancing the grid.
Revised National Planning Policy Framework published with new energy efficiency policy
A revised National Planning Policy Framework published in December 2023 tells local planning authorities to give significant weight to supporting energy efficiency and low carbon heating improvements to existing buildings.
ScottishPower launches in-app advanced credit requests for smart PPMs
ScottishPower introduced a feature in December 2023 letting customers request advanced credit for smart prepayment meters through its app, an example of supplier good practice cited by Energy UK.
UKGBC responds to Future Homes and Buildings Standard consultation urging higher standards
UKGBC and its members have responded to the government's Future Homes and Buildings Standard consultation, arguing its options are not genuinely future and proposing a higher standard.
Version 2.4 of the BUS property owner guidance issued
Ofgem has issued version 2.4 of its Boiler Upgrade Scheme guidance for property owners, adding paragraphs on new digital cancel and re-apply and file upload features.
Warm Home Discount scheme confirmed to run until at least March 2026
The government has confirmed the Warm Home Discount will run until at least March 2026, a further three winters, and more suppliers must now take part in the £150 scheme.
Warm Home Discount scheme extended to smaller energy suppliers
The customer threshold for compulsory participation in the Warm Home Discount has been cut from 50,000 to 1,000, bringing smaller energy suppliers into the scheme from this winter.
White Goods Scheme launched as a pilot in England and Wales
The British Gas Energy Trust has reported that its White Goods Scheme, piloted in England and Wales from December 2023, has supported an estimated 19,435 people across Britain.
Zero rating for BESS installation announced in December 2023
VAT on domestic battery energy storage systems was cut to zero from 1 February 2024, following a December 2023 announcement and a campaign by Solar Energy UK and parliamentarians.
- November 2023
Boiler Upgrade Scheme applications tripled after grant increased to £7,500
Applications to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme reached 1,150 in the first week after the grant rose to £7,500, more than three times the previous weekly average, the government said on 30 November 2023.
Consultation planned on permitted development rights for heat pumps in England
The government has confirmed it will consult on new permitted development rights to end the blanket one metre boundary restriction on heat pumps in England, alongside figures showing Boiler Upgrade Scheme applications tripled after the grant rose to £7,500.
Contact Solar Black Friday solar panel sale ends
Contact Solar's Black Friday solar panel promotion, offering up to £1,000 off solar PV systems and other discounts, closed on 30 November 2023 after running through the month.
Government announces amendments to permitted development rights for solar panels
Amendments to permitted development rights announced on 30 November 2023 widen where solar panels can be installed in England without full planning permission, including domestic flat roofs and larger commercial arrays.
Government confirms Clean Heat Market Mechanism plans
The government has confirmed a Clean Heat Market Mechanism for launch in 2025 and reported that Boiler Upgrade Scheme applications tripled after the grant rose to £7,500.
UK Government heat pump noise research findings published
Research into air source heat pump noise emissions was published on 30 November 2023, prompting a consultation on changes to the MCS-020 noise assessment standard.
MCS opens consultation on MCS 020 planning standard
MCS has opened a consultation on its MCS 020 planning standard for air source heat pumps, proposing changes to solid barrier definitions, background noise assumptions and location guidance, with comments due by 26 January 2024.
New permitted development rights announced for rooftop solar
The government has announced changes to permitted development rights so that more homes and businesses can install rooftop solar panels without planning permission, including flat roofs and industrial sites.
Which? publishes Priority Places for Insulation Index mapping UK insulation need
Which? has published an interactive index ranking UK local areas by home insulation need, fuel poverty and the availability of insulation installers, with 13.3 million households estimated to need loft insulation.
Bristol City Council publishes V.3.1 Statement of Intent for ECO4 and Great British Insulation Scheme Flex
Bristol City Council has published version 3.1 of its flexible eligibility Statement of Intent for ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme, setting out four routes and seven proxies for identifying eligible households.
Heat Pump Association releases landmark heat pump deployment report
The Heat Pump Association has published a report setting out policy recommendations to speed up heat pump adoption in the UK, citing efficiency and emissions figures and the 600,000-a-year installation ambition.
Heat in Buildings Bill consultation opens
The Scottish Government has opened a consultation on proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill, setting out plans to regulate the heating systems and energy efficiency of homes and other buildings.
SSEN completes £3.9 million Netley Common network upgrade
SSEN has completed a £3.9 million rebuild of the Netley Common electricity network near Southampton, begun in December 2021, with a further £3 million project proposed for early 2025.
Mixergy announces Heat Pump Interface v2
Mixergy has announced version two of its heat pump interface, which it says improves integration between its hot water cylinders and heat pumps and simplifies installation by using the heat pump's existing thermal probe.