Powering Homes News: page 71
- August 2023
ECO4 Measures Table version 2.0 published
Ofgem published version 2.0 of the ECO4 measures table on 9 August 2023, recording the first set of legislative amendments to the scheme, which took effect from 14 August 2023.
Nesta analysis finds UK has third-highest electricity-to-gas price ratio in Europe
Nesta analysis published on 8 August 2023 finds the UK had the third-highest electricity-to-gas price ratio in Europe, averaging 3.8 between 2011 and 2021 and 4.4 between 2018 and 2022.
Nesta publishes conclusion of European heat pump uptake comparison
Nesta's European heat pump comparison, published on 8 August 2023, concludes that air-to-air heat pumps dominate uptake across Europe while the Boiler Upgrade Scheme funds only air-to-water and ground-source models.
GBIS Measures Table V1.0 published
Ofgem has published the first version of the Great British Insulation Scheme Measures Table, the document listing the insulation measures suppliers may deliver under the scheme.
MCS consultation on scheme redevelopment receives 106 official and 187 informal responses
MCS received 106 official and 187 informal responses to its six-week consultation on redeveloping the certification scheme, with a summary due in September and changes planned for the second quarter of 2024.
RECC publishes annual report highlights for 2022
The Renewable Energy Consumer Code has published highlights from its 2022 annual report, recording 3,037 member businesses, over 108,000 installations and £176,557 recovered for consumers.
TÜV Rheinland (China) achieved MCS accreditation for solar PV products
TÜV Rheinland (China) Ltd became the first MCS product certification body based outside Europe in August 2023, initially certifying solar panel products for the UK market.
Mitsubishi Electric launches Versatile domestic hot water cylinder range
Mitsubishi Electric has launched the Versatile domestic hot water cylinder range in five capacities, designed for use with its Ecodan R32 heat pumps and controlled through MELCloud.
ChargeUK writes to Prime Minister urging commitment to 2030 ZEV mandate
ChargeUK has written to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak urging him to stand firm on the 2030 phase out of petrol and diesel cars and on the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate due in 2024.
Mobile heat pump training facility launched at South Lanarkshire College
A Scottish Government funded mobile heat pump training centre, certified by BPEC, was launched at South Lanarkshire College on 2 August to train installers across Scotland.
Battery electric vehicles reach record 20.1% market share in August 2023
Battery electric cars took a 20.1% share of UK new car registrations in August 2023, an August record, as the SMMT warned that delays to the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate threaten decarbonisation goals.
Baxi launches new residential air source heat pump range
Baxi has launched the HP40 Monobloc air source heat pump range for UK homes, sold as a package with cylinders, controls, training and aftersales support.
Cadent launches Warm Homes Network pilot in Birmingham
Cadent began piloting the Warm Homes Network in Birmingham in August 2023, a partnership scheme that refers vulnerable households to energy efficiency, benefit and debt support through a single point of contact.
CfD Allocation Round 5 secures no offshore wind capacity
The fifth Contracts for Difference allocation round secured no offshore wind capacity, a result Ember says puts the government's 50 GW offshore wind target for 2030 at risk.
Consultation published on future regulation of heat networks
Ofgem and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero have published a consultation on regulating heat networks, with rules expected to start in 2025 and Consumer Scotland named as advocate.
Consumer Council research estimates 51% of Northern Ireland households in fuel poverty
Consumer Council research estimates 51 per cent of Northern Ireland households were in fuel poverty in early 2023, up from 34 per cent in 2022, with 48 per cent unable to afford to heat their homes.
StatisticsScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandYour Type of Home
Consumer Scotland publishes response to Ofgem statutory consultation on involuntary prepayment meters
Consumer Scotland has told Ofgem it supports putting the involuntary prepayment meter code into supply licences and keeping over 85s in the do not install category, but wants under 5s moved there too.
Consumer Scotland responds to Ofgem statutory consultation on consumer standards
Consumer Scotland has told Ofgem it broadly backs the regulator's proposed consumer standards for energy suppliers, while calling for outcomes-based compliance, minimum standards for agency lines and recognised customer service accreditation.
Emergency credit increased from £1 to £3
Power NI raised the emergency credit available on its Keypad prepayment meters in Northern Ireland from £1 to £3 on 1 August 2023, giving households a larger buffer before supply is cut off.
UK Government confirms cancellation of proposed £120 hydrogen household levy
The Energy Secretary has confirmed that a proposed £120 annual levy on household energy bills to fund hydrogen production, due to take effect in 2025, will not be imposed on households.
Government directs Ofgem to end PPM premium
In August 2023 the Government directed Ofgem to permanently end the premium paid by prepayment meter customers, with a Call for Evidence on levelling the standing charge.
Ideal Heating launched its first heat pump production line in Hull
Ideal Heating launched its first heat pump production line in Hull in August 2023, part of a wider investment programme that has since drawn government funding and further company spending.
Inaugural Tariff Watch report published
The Warm This Winter coalition has published the first Tariff Watch report, estimating that household energy suppliers could make £1.74bn in profits over the next 12 months from customers' bills.
Nesta submits written evidence to Parliament on decarbonising home heating
Nesta has told Parliament that ministers should confirm a 2035 fossil fuel boiler phase-out, lift the Boiler Upgrade Scheme cap and cap the electricity to gas price ratio at 2.5.
Ofgem announces cap fall to £1,923 for Q4 2023
Ofgem set the default tariff cap for October to December 2023 at £1,923 for a typical dual fuel household, down from £2,074, though standing charges rose and the Energy Bills Support Scheme has ended.
Ofgem publishes call for input on engaging domestic consumers in energy flexibility
Ofgem has opened a call for input on how to move households from passive bill paying to active energy flexibility, with responses due by 29 September 2023.
Ofgem set out options to levelise prices across payment methods
Ofgem has set out options for levelling the standing charges paid by prepayment meter customers with those paid by other households, as part of a wider review of debt-related costs in the price cap.
Scottish Government limited solar funding to homes with renewable heating systems
The Scottish Government restricted Home Energy Scotland solar funding to homes with renewable heating from August 2023, before solar and battery support was withdrawn entirely in June 2024.
Grants and SchemesScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandWhere to Start
Vauxhall launches Electric Streets of Britain campaign
Vauxhall launched its Electric Streets of Britain campaign in August 2023, inviting drivers to register the need for on-street charging through a national database shared with councils and charge point operators.
Welsh Government publishes draft Heat Strategy for Wales for consultation
The Welsh Government has published a draft Heat Strategy for Wales, setting out its path to net zero heat by 2050 and opening the document to consultation.