Powering Homes news, page 70
- October 2023
Ofgem re-publishes price cap levels for cap period 11a under new 2023 TDCV values
Ofgem has re-published the October to December 2023 price cap levels using new 2023 Typical Domestic Consumption Values, putting the dual fuel direct debit cap at £1,834.
PAS 2035 (2023) released with key changes
Elmhurst Energy has published key information and changes on the October 2023 release of PAS 2035 (2023), the standard that domestic retrofit projects must comply with in the UK.
Quarterly change to Flexi variable costs from 1 October 2023
ScottishPower has published the Flexi variable cost values that apply from 1 October 2023, showing quarterly changes to network, environmental and smart meter charges across its regional tables.
Revised EBIT allowance methodology takes effect in the price cap
Ofgem has revised the profit margin allowance in the energy price cap to a fixed and variable element, and reissued the October to December cap levels on new consumption figures.
Scottish Power granted 124 forced entry warrants by Berkshire Magistrates Court
Scottish Power obtained 124 forced entry warrants from Berkshire Magistrates Court to install prepayment meters, with campaigners saying only 20 were examined in detail and asking a Commons committee to take urgent evidence.
Second £300 cost of living payment made to means-tested benefit recipients
The second instalment of the government's £900 cost of living payment, worth £300, was paid to households on means-tested benefits during October and November 2023.
Second Warm This Winter Tariff Watch report published
The second Warm This Winter Tariff Watch report finds 337 fixed tariffs priced above the Ofgem price cap, an average exit fee of £138 and supplier operating costs of £242 per customer.
UKGBC adds Window Insulation coating to its solutions resource
The UK Green Building Council added an insulating window coating for retrofit to its solutions resource in October 2023, listing it as an energy-saving alternative to window replacement.
UNC mod 840 change reduces prepayment cap level
Ofgem's October price cap methodology change equalising Unidentified Gas allocation between prepayment and non-prepayment customers cuts the prepayment cap level by £51, part offset by a £9 bad debt allowance.
Voluntary code of conduct on forced PPM installations due to come into force
A voluntary code of conduct governing the forced installation of prepayment meters is due to come into force on 1 October 2023, with campaigners saying it does not go far enough.
Warm Homes Discount Scheme reopens
The Warm Home Discount reopens in October 2023, with eligibility checks available from that month and payments made automatically to eligible households.
Grants and SchemesHow ToScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Winter 2023 Voluntary Debt Commitment comes into force
Energy UK's Winter 2023 Voluntary Debt Commitment, agreed with Citizens Advice and Ofgem, took effect in October 2023 and runs to March 2024, with fourteen suppliers signed up to extra support for customers in payment difficulty.
- September 2023
British Gas reopens Energy Support Fund for new applications
British Gas has reopened its Energy Support Fund for new applications from 2 October 2023, offering grants of up to £1,500 within a £100 million support package.
Grants and SchemesEnergy Bills and the Price CapEnergy Suppliers
Coalition of over 130 organisations calls for an energy social tariff
More than 130 organisations have written to the Prime Minister calling for a social tariff, as the Energy Price Guarantee is set to end in 2024 and no consultation has been published.
ECIU analysis finds winter bills set to stay at £1,200 as support ends
ECIU analysis of Cornwall Insight's price cap forecast finds the average winter energy bill will stay at £1,200 as government support ends for most households.
Myson introduces Unisenza Plus wireless heating controls
Myson has published details of its Unisenza Plus wireless heating control range, a four-component system built around a gateway that the maker says can connect up to 100 devices.
E3G assesses UK government response to gas crisis
E3G analysis finds the UK has not enacted long-term measures to cut exposure to volatile gas markets, and sets out recommendations on a social tariff, retrofit and renewables.
Revised PAS 2030:2023 published
The revised PAS 2030 was published on 28 September 2023, opening an 18-month transition period that makes the 2023 edition mandatory for government-backed retrofit work from 31 March 2025.
Revised PAS 2035 and PAS 2030 standards published
Revised PAS 2035 and PAS 2030 retrofit standards were published on 28 September 2023, with an 18-month transition period before the 2023 editions come into full operation.
Standing charge discount provision added
The Energy Price Guarantee scheme documents for Great Britain were updated on 27 September 2023 to let the scheme deliver support as a discount on standing charges rather than unit rates alone.
ECO4 innovation measure 022 approved
Ofgem approved UKSOL monocrystalline solar panels with built-in Tigo optimisers as ECO4 innovation measure 022 on 26 September 2023, with a 45% uplift and EDF Energy as awarded supplier.
Sunsynk announces Hybrid Fusion Inverter range
Sunsynk has announced its Hybrid Fusion Inverter range, an all in one unit combining a hybrid inverter with an integrated LiFePO4 battery, in sizes from 2.5 kW to 30 kW.
DESNZ issues change notice to increase BUS grant levels
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero issued a change notice on 21 September 2023 raising Boiler Upgrade Scheme grants for air and ground source heat pumps to £7,500 from 23 October 2023.
Government confirms delay of EV mandate deadline to 2035
The government has confirmed it will push back the end of sale date for new conventional petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2030 to 2035, leaving the details of the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate outstanding.
Government confirms ZEV mandate remains in place
Ministers have confirmed the zero emissions vehicle mandate is unchanged after confusion over whether Rishi Sunak's rollback of climate policies had also swept away the scheme requiring electric car sales.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump grants increased by 50%
Grants for heat pumps under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme rose by 50% from 23 October 2023, taking the air source and ground source rate to £7,500, with applications rising sharply afterwards.
ChargeUK issues statement urging government to confirm 2030 phase out date and strong ZEV mandate
ChargeUK has urged the Prime Minister to confirm the 2030 phase out date for new petrol and diesel vehicles and a strong ZEV mandate, calling the government's news extremely worrying for industry confidence.
Fuel Bank Foundation publishes advice on avoiding and reporting energy scams
The Fuel Bank Foundation has published guidance on spotting, avoiding and reporting energy scams, saying energy-related fraud rose sharply over the previous 12 months as criminals exploited the cost-of-living crisis.
Nesta calls on UK Government to keep 2035 gas boiler commitment
Nesta has urged the UK Government to keep its commitment that no new gas boilers are installed after 2035, warning that any retreat would raise costs and slow heat pump uptake.
Ofgem gains power to direct suppliers to ringfence customer credit balances
Ofgem has confirmed that since 20 September 2023 it can direct an energy supplier holding too little cash against customer credit balances to ringfence funds, and has begun publishing quarterly data on those balances.