Powering Homes News: page 81
- March 2023
EPG extended to end of June 2023 and April to June rates added
The government extended the Energy Price Guarantee to the end of June 2023 and published the regional unit rates that apply to standard variable tariffs from April to June 2023.
Fuel poverty forecast to rise to 7.5 million UK households
National Energy Action forecasts 7.5 million UK households will be in fuel poverty, up from 6.7 million, after the Energy Bill Support Scheme ended and the Energy Price Guarantee was extended.
Government announces prepayment standing charge compensation in the Budget
The UK Government said in its 15 March 2023 Budget that it will compensate prepayment customers for higher standing charges from July 2023 to March 2024, at a cost of £200 million.
Treasury issues call for evidence on zero VAT for battery storage
The Treasury has issued a call for evidence on extending zero VAT to battery storage, whether retrofitted to solar panels or fitted as a standalone unit.
NEA publishes response to Ofgem call for evidence on prepayment rules and protections
National Energy Action has published its response to Ofgem's call for evidence on prepayment rules, naming four areas it says need significant consideration before protections are settled.
Ofgem extends forced prepayment meter installation ban
Ofgem's chief executive announced on 14 March that the ban on forced prepayment meter installations would run beyond the end of March, lifting only if firms follow a new code of practice.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapSmart Meters
SSEN restores power to central southern England network after high winds
SSEN restored power to around 8,500 customers across central southern England after high winds, with engineers working into the evening on the remaining handful of properties.
SSEN weather warning for central southern England
SSEN's weather model showed strong winds with coastal gusts of 60mph across central southern England on Monday 13 March, prompting the network operator to increase standby resources and contact priority customers.
Welsh Government published the Keep Warm Keep Well Pembrokeshire press release
The Welsh Government has published details of the Keep Warm Keep Well programme in Pembrokeshire, part of a £1.6 billion cost-of-living support package, after a ministerial visit to a Tenby warm space.
CCC publishes report on delivering a reliable decarbonised power system by 2035
The Climate Change Committee has published modelling on a reliable decarbonised power system for 2035, with 25 recommendations, and says delivery is not happening at the pace required.
CCC warns 2035 decarbonised power system will not happen at current rates of deployment
The Climate Change Committee says a reliable, decarbonised power system by 2035 is possible but will not arrive at current rates of deployment, and sets out 25 recommendations.
Citizens Advice publishes report recommending new energy bill support framework
Citizens Advice has published a report calling for the current system of energy bill support to be replaced by a state-determined social tariff funded by general taxation, with a new framework in place by spring 2024.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapEnergy Suppliers
Government launches online portal for alternative fuel payment
The government has opened an online portal for households that heat with oil to claim the £200 alternative fuel payment, with applications accepted until 31 May 2023.
Which? publishes annual energy supplier ratings with Octopus Energy top and average customer scores falling
Which? has published its annual energy supplier survey, with Octopus Energy top on 78 per cent and the average customer score falling to 54 per cent from 59 per cent a year earlier.
Which? responds to delayed Energy Bill Support Scheme payments for some Shell customers
Which? has said some Shell Energy customers will have part of their Energy Bill Support Scheme payments delayed until the Spring, and called on the supplier to act quickly.
Which? responds to government energy efficiency campaign and ECO+ scheme
Which? has welcomed the government's energy efficiency campaign and the ECO+ insulation scheme, while calling for fast delivery, independent advice and robust consumer protections.
Grants and SchemesInsulation and GlazingRules and Regulation
Government announces over £14 million to accelerate low carbon heating rollout
The government has announced more than £14 million for low carbon heating, with £9.7 million for four Heat Pump Ready projects and a £5 million grant to train 10,000 installers.
OVO Energy launches Kaluza-powered Charge Anytime EV charging plan
OVO Energy has launched Charge Anytime, a smart charging add-on giving eligible customers a flat 10p per kWh rate for electric vehicle charging, separate from their household electricity.
Almost 1.2m customers disconnected from energy supply
Ofgem figures show almost 1.2 million customers were disconnected from their energy supply in the first three months of 2023, with average household energy debt above £1,200 on electricity.
StatisticsEnergy Bills and the Price CapRules and Regulation
BISOL Bifacial and BIPV larger modules announced for market availability
BISOL Group has said its first larger-format M10 modules, the BISOL Bifacial and BIPV ranges, will reach the market in March, following the February release of its Duplex M10.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme extended until 2028
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme has been extended by three years to 2028, with extra funding for each year after 2025, but no budget level has yet been set for the extended scheme.
Chancellor announces Energy Price Guarantee
The Chancellor announced the Energy Price Guarantee in March 2023 to address higher prepayment costs, a scheme later replaced by prepayment levelisation from April 2024.
Chancellor introduces Energy Price Guarantee
The Retail Energy Code Company has updated the methodology behind the payment method levelisation scheme that replaced the Energy Price Guarantee's prepayment unit rate discount from April 2024.
CIPHE responds to spring statement on energy bill support
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering has welcomed the three month extension of the energy price guarantee and the removal of the prepayment meter penalty, but says more is needed on fuel poverty.
Consultation on resolving the retrofitted BESS VAT anomaly opened in the spring
A call for evidence on VAT relief for energy saving materials opened in spring 2023, examining an anomaly that left retrofitted domestic battery storage facing 20% VAT.
Consultation on Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate published
The government consultation on a Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate was published in the week before 5 April 2023, with the mandate due to come into force in less than nine months.
Deeper Devolution Deal gives WMCA control of retrofit funding pot
The West Midlands Combined Authority has secured £34 million of government funding, matched by £35 million from housing providers, to retrofit around 3,000 homes rated D or below.
Defra Burn Better campaign supported by HETAS with sponsored video adverts
HETAS has sponsored video adverts on Facebook and Instagram in partnership with Defra to extend the reach of the government's Burn Better campaign, aimed at households that burn solid fuel at home.
EDF raised SEG Export Variable rate from 1.5p to 3p per kWh
EDF raised the rate on its no-strings SEG Export Variable tariff from 1.5p to 3p per kWh in March 2023, a rate that has since stayed unchanged while average export prices moved higher.
Energy Bill Support Scheme ends
The Energy Bill Support Scheme, which gave every household in Great Britain a £400 discount on energy bills over winter 2022 to 2023, ended in March 2023 with no replacement announced.
Grants and SchemesEnergy Bills and the Price CapRules and Regulation