Powering Homes News: page 77
- May 2023
New inquiry launched on sustainable electrification of the UK economy
The Environmental Audit Committee has opened an inquiry into the barriers stopping low-carbon technologies connecting to the grid, with written evidence due by 17:00 on Thursday 1 June.
MPs call for grid improvements and affordable household loans for solar
The Environmental Audit Committee has urged the Government to consult on affordable household loans for solar and extend the VAT discount to household battery storage, while warning that grid connection delays are holding back progress.
Ofgem publishes policy consultation on consumer standards options
Ofgem has published a Stage 1 policy consultation on options to address priority customer service issues, the first step in a process that led to new supply licence conditions.
British Gas Energy Trust Individual and Family fund opens for applications
The British Gas Energy Trust reopened its Individual and Family fund on 2 May 2023, offering grants of up to £2,000 to clear energy arrears for households in England, Scotland and Wales.
Hypervolt launches beta of energy consumption reports in app version 4.3.0
Hypervolt has opened a 50-place beta of version 4.3.0 of its app, letting owners of its chargers generate energy usage reports for claiming back charging costs.
Ban on traditional house coal sales in England takes effect
Selling traditional house coal for use in English homes became illegal on 1 May 2023, under rules that also restrict wet wood and set emission limits for stoves.
CMA publishes findings on consumer protection in the green heating and insulation sector
The Competition and Markets Authority found in May 2023 that households buying green heating and insulation face a complex and confusing standards landscape and gaps in consumer protection.
Digital service updated so all application stages can be completed digitally
Ofgem has reported that further improvements to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme digital service in May 2023 allow installers to complete every stage of an application online.
Energy firms holding £280m of unclaimed Energy Bills Support Scheme payments
More than four million Energy Bills Support Scheme payments worth almost £280 million were still to be made or redeemed for October 2022 to February 2023, figures reported in the Mail on Sunday show.
Grants and SchemesEnergy Bills and the Price CapEnergy Suppliers
New energy price cap set at £2,074, below the price guarantee level
Ofgem has confirmed a new energy price cap of £2,074 for an average annual bill, below the £2,500 level of the Energy Price Guarantee, cutting household costs by around £420.
First Minister announces Fuel Insecurity Fund tripled to £30 million for 2023-24
First Minister Humza Yousaf has tripled Scotland's Fuel Insecurity Fund to £30 million for 2023-24, saying it will help households at risk of self-rationing or self-disconnecting their energy use.
Ofgem commits to central role in grid connection reform
Ofgem has committed to taking a central role in driving progress on reform of grid connection arrangements, the Welsh Government's draft heat strategy records.
Ofgem issues Call for Input relevant to debt-related cost allowance
Ofgem has opened a consultation on the operating cost allowances inside the energy price cap, including the debt-related costs allowance, with responses due by 14 June 2024.
Ofgem signals holistic review of operating cost allowances
Ofgem has concluded its first full review of the operating cost and debt allowances inside the energy price cap, cutting the total allowance by an average of £8 per customer.
Panasonic Aquarea L Generation heat pumps available from spring 2023
Panasonic has confirmed that its Aquarea L Generation heat pumps, which use the natural refrigerant R290 with a global warming potential of 3, are available from spring 2023.
Scottish Government announces £10m extension of Fuel Insecurity Fund
The Scottish Government has extended its Fuel Insecurity Fund by £10m, a scheme that has written off millions in household energy debt and issued thousands of fuel vouchers.
SSEN begins £10.6m Alton and Bordon network upgrade
SSEN has started a £10.6m programme of works to upgrade electricity supplies in Alton and Bordon, running from 1 May 2023 until September 2024.
SSEN updates Data Privacy Plan
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks reviewed and updated its Data Privacy Plan in May 2023 to cover changes to how it collects, holds, aggregates and publishes smart meter consumption data.
UKGBC publishes consultation response on VAT energy saving materials relief
The UK Green Building Council has responded to an HM Treasury call for evidence on VAT relief for energy saving materials, welcoming the expanded relief and pressing for it to cover more technologies.
VAT ESM relief extended to Northern Ireland on 1 May 2023
The temporary VAT zero rate on installing energy-saving materials was extended to Northern Ireland on 1 May 2023 under the Windsor Framework, aligning its VAT treatment with Great Britain.
Which? publishes appliance running costs research
Which? research published on 1 May 2023 found the annual running cost of a typical set of household appliances rose 58 per cent between October 2021 and April 2023, from £283 to £447.
Which? publishes principles for clear energy customer communications
Which? has published a policy report setting out five principles for energy suppliers to make billing and direct debit communications clearer, based on a survey of 2,082 UK adults.
Wind and water turbines added to qualifying ESMs and 60% test removed
Wind and water turbines become permanently qualifying energy-saving materials and the 60% test and social policy conditions are permanently removed, with a temporary zero rate extended to Northern Ireland from 1 May 2023.
Zero rate for air source heat pumps extended to Northern Ireland
From 1 May 2023 the temporary zero rate of VAT on air source heat pumps and other qualifying energy-saving materials applies across the whole United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland.
Grants and SchemesHeat PumpsScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
- April 2023
Consultation on Great British Insulation scheme LA and Supplier Flex administration closes
Ofgem's consultation on how the Great British Insulation Scheme and ECO4 Flex will be administered closed on 28 April 2023, drawing 16 responses from local authorities, suppliers and others.
Rules and RegulationGrants and SchemesInsulation and Glazing
ECO+ renamed Great British Insulation Scheme and consultation response published
The government has renamed its ECO+ insulation programme the Great British Insulation Scheme and confirmed its eligibility rules, supplier targets and ECO4 changes in a consultation response.
Indra launches Smart LUX home EV charger
Indra has launched the Smart LUX, a UK-designed home EV charger with a 78mm profile, IP67 and IK10 ratings, a five-year warranty and 7.4kWh charging.
Sunsynk introduces 3.6kW hybrid inverter "Mini Beast"
Sunsynk has announced a 3.6kW hybrid inverter, marketed as the Mini Beast, with dual MPPT input and a stated solar handling capacity of up to 7000W.
Which? responds to news that a fifth of EBSS prepayment vouchers remain unredeemed
Which? has said a fifth of Energy Bill Support Scheme vouchers for traditional prepayment meter customers remain unredeemed, and called for action in the scheme's final weeks.
Citizens Advice published its application to intervene in the RIIO-ED2 appeal
Citizens Advice has applied to intervene in a Competition and Markets Authority appeal by Northern Powergrid over the RIIO-ED2 energy licence modification, arguing the appeal would raise consumer bills without improving service.