Powering Homes News: page 78
- April 2023
SOPREMA expands external pitched roof insulation range with Breathe-R and Breathe-R Ultra
SOPREMA UK has added two membranes, Breathe-R and Breathe-R Ultra, to its external pitched roof insulation range, sitting below the existing BreatherQuilt product.
ECIU report warns UK energy security incompatible with high gas demand
The Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit has published a report warning that the Government's energy security aim cannot be met while gas demand stays high, as North Sea production declines.
Energy Bill passes latest House of Lords stage with hydrogen levy amendment
The House of Lords has backed an amendment stopping energy firms passing hydrogen development costs to bill payers, but rejected a ban on forced entry to convert homes to hydrogen.
SSEN completes £710,000 Lynes Common network upgrade in Hythe
SSEN has completed a £710,000 upgrade of switchgear at Lynes Common in Hythe, replacing equipment that had reached the end of its working life and serving 20,000 homes and businesses.
All British domestic suppliers sign updated Code of Practice on involuntary prepayment meter installations
Ofgem has published an updated voluntary Code of Practice on involuntary prepayment meter installations, signed by all British domestic suppliers, with tougher oversight and new protections for high-risk households.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapSmart Meters
NEA warns many vulnerable groups still face uncertainty under new prepayment meter code
National Energy Action has welcomed Ofgem's new prepayment meter code of practice as much needed, but warns that many vulnerable groups still face the threat of forced installation or remote switching.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapSmart Meters
Product page published for Zappi 207UW V2 myenergi 7kW EV charger
Orion AC&R Limited has published a product page for the Zappi 207UW V2 myenergi 7kW EV charger, setting out its three charging modes, solar and wind integration and technical ratings.
Sunsynk announces UK Mini Beast inverter
Sunsynk has published details of the UK Mini Beast, a dual MPPT hybrid inverter rated at 3,600 Watts with on grid, off grid and auxiliary outputs.
Voluntary Code of Conduct to prevent forced PPM installations announced
Energy suppliers signed a voluntary code of conduct on 18 April 2023 intended to stop the forced installation of prepayment meters, a measure campaigners say does not go far enough.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapSmart Meters
£30 million Heat Pump Investment Accelerator launched
The Energy Plan of April 2023 set out a £30 million Heat Pump Investment Accelerator and extended the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to 2028, alongside a new insulation scheme for 300,000 homes.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme extended until 2028
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme will run until 2028 under the Government's Powering Up Britain Energy Security Plan, keeping grants of up to £6,000 towards a heat pump in England and Wales.
Great British Insulation Scheme announced, replacing ECO+
The government's Powering Up Britain energy security plan includes the Great British Insulation Scheme, formerly ECO+, to upgrade 300,000 of the least energy efficient homes, and extends the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to 2028.
Evidence period for Alternative Fuel Payment applications extended by 3 months to June 2022
Grant Shapps extended the Alternative Fuel Payment evidence window back to June 2022, so households that bought heating oil, LPG, biomass or solid fuel in bulk before winter can still claim £200.
Grants and SchemesEnergy Bills and the Price CapYour Type of Home
Government launches Clean heat market mechanism consultation
The government has opened a consultation on its Clean heat market mechanism, seeking views on a market-based scheme intended to grow the number of heat pumps installed in existing premises.
OVO and Kaluza launch Charge Anytime EV smart charging add-on
OVO and Kaluza have launched Charge Anytime, an EV charging add-on priced at 10p per kWh and billed separately from household electricity, with charging optimised by Kaluza's software.
Survey finds 9 in 10 rural off-gas-grid homes say green heating plans treat them unfairly
A survey of 1,500 oil-heated homes finds 90 per cent believe the government's green heating proposals treat off-gas-grid households unfairly, as trade bodies press for a choice of low carbon options.
Government publishes heat pump net zero investment roadmap
The government has published a heat pump investment roadmap setting out an expectation of at least 600,000 installations a year by 2028 and up to £28 billion of supply chain investment.
Ofgem consults on Great British Insulation scheme LA and Supplier Flex administration
Ofgem has opened a three-week consultation on how it would run Local Authority and Supplier Flex under the Great British Insulation Scheme, and on possible changes to ECO4 Flex administration.
Which? warns low-income households face £209 shortfall and calls for social tariff
Which? research published on 4 April 2023 estimates the poorest tenth of UK households will spend an average of £209 more on energy this financial year and calls for a targeted social tariff.
Your Type of HomeGrants and SchemesEnergy Bills and the Price Cap
Heat Pump Investment Roadmap published
The government has published a Heat Pump Investment Roadmap setting out how it intends to grow UK heat pump installations from 55,000 a year in 2021 to 600,000 a year by 2028.
Additional wholesale risk allowance to revert to single 1% value
Ofgem has confirmed that the additional wholesale risk allowance in the energy price cap will revert to a single 1% value from 1 April 2023, ending a temporary split introduced to prevent supplier over-recovery.
Analysis reveals regional gaps in Energy Bills Support Scheme delivery
Analysis of the first five months of the Energy Bills Support Scheme shows missed or unredeemed payments above four per cent in several areas of high fuel poverty, with £241m still owed.
BEAMA publishes Phase 1 Future Homes Standard impact report
BEAMA has published Version 1.1 of its Phase 1 Network-to-Emitter Impact Report, setting out the technologies expected in new homes under the 2025 Future Homes Standard.
Budget 2023 equalises prepayment meter and direct debit prices
The Spring Budget 2023 confirmed that prepayment meter prices would match direct debit prices from April 2023, ending the long-standing premium paid by households who top up.
ChargeUK launched with 19 members and £6 billion investment commitment
ChargeUK launched in April 2023 with 19 member companies, announcing £6 billion of investment and plans to double the number of UK charge points within 12 months.
New Child Benefit evidence requirements take effect
Ofgem's ECO4 delivery guidance v1.1 confirms that new evidence requirements for the Child Benefit eligibility route take effect from 1 April 2023, alongside clarifications on Solar PV, LA Flex evidence, hybrid heat pumps and electric heating.
Constituency fuel poverty estimates published on basis of £3,000 average annual household energy bill
The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has published modelled fuel poverty estimates for every English Parliamentary constituency, based on the average household energy bill reaching £3,000 a year from 1 April 2023.
Deadline for Government to renew net zero policies after court ruling
The UK Green Building Council says the Government has until April 2023 to renew and reissue net zero policies found unlawful by the courts, and that most built environment policy areas are failing.
Electricity-to-gas price ratio fell to 3.2 under the Energy Price Guarantee
Nesta analysis finds the electricity-to-gas price ratio reached a low of about 3.2 in April 2023 under the Energy Price Guarantee, against 3.5 under the default tariff cap.
Energy efficiency funding to open in April
Details have been published of how £630m will be spent through the Home Upgrade Grant and £780m through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, with funding available from April for insulation, glazing, heat pumps and solar panels.