Powering Homes news, page 82
- April 2023
Money Advice Trust research finds 5.5 million UK adults in energy bills debt
Money Advice Trust research estimates 5.5 million UK adults are in energy bills debt, with 2.1 million more people in arrears in April 2023 than in March 2022.
NBHS regulations to pass through Parliament
The Scottish Government has set out plans to ban direct emissions heating systems in new buildings from April 2024, with regulations expected to pass through Parliament in spring 2023.
Next iteration of Warm Homes Programme to start
The Welsh Government has confirmed that the next iteration of its Warm Homes Programme will begin in April 2023, continuing advice and efficiency support for lower income households in Wales.
Grants and SchemesYour Type of HomeScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Ofgem next network price control begins, running five years
Ofgem's next electricity network price control began in April 2023 and runs for five years, setting the charges that fund the wires and cables delivering power to homes.
Ofgem price cap change brings highest standing charges since 2019
Ofgem's price cap from 1 April 2023 brings the highest standing charges since the cap began in 2019, up 64%, as National Energy Action warns 7.5 million households will be in fuel poverty.
Ofgem publishes Involuntary PPM Code of Practice agreed with suppliers
Ofgem has published an Involuntary Prepayment Meter Code of Practice, agreed with suppliers, setting out when customers may be moved onto prepayment meters without consent and how they must be treated.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapSmart Meters
UK Power Networks launches independent DSO
UK Power Networks launched the country's first independent Distribution System Operator in April 2023, separating the body that plans its network from the one that runs it.
Quarterly change to Flexi variable costs from 1 April 2023
ScottishPower has published the Flexi variable cost breakdown applying from 1 April 2023, showing a sharp fall in electricity distribution standing charges and a new transmission standing charge.
New rules require £30 starter credit on involuntary prepayment meter installations
From April 2023, suppliers installing a prepayment meter or switching a smart meter to prepay without consent must offer £30 credit or an equivalent non-disconnection period.
Rules and RegulationSmart MetersEnergy Bills and the Price Cap
Scenario modelling projects 920,000 fuel poor households from April 2023
Scottish Government modelling published on 30 May 2023 projects 920,000 fuel poor households in Scotland, 37 per cent of all households, from April 2023 once the £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme ends.
StatisticsScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandYour Type of Home
Simply Certification gains UKAS accreditation for MCS assessments
Simply Certification has become an MCS contractor certification body after gaining UKAS accreditation in April, widening the choice of assessors for small-scale renewable installations across the UK.
SolarEdge Home Battery 400V warranty revised
SolarEdge revised its Limited Warranty for the Home Battery 400V in April 2023, keeping a ten year term and 70 per cent energy retention while setting conditions on monitoring, throughput and shipping costs.
Standing charges reach new high, up 64%
Standing charges paid daily for grid access reached a new high on 1 April, up 64%, with almost half of the poorest households' energy spending now going on these fixed fees.
TCR removes time of use based TNUoS charges
Ofgem's Targeted Charging Review replaces the time of use element of transmission charges with a banded fixed charge from April 2023, cutting the revenue available from vehicle-to-grid tariff optimisation by around half.
Rules and RegulationNew TechnologyWhere Our Energy Comes From
- March 2023
Energy Bill Relief Scheme to end and be replaced by Energy Bills Discount Scheme
The Energy Bill Relief Scheme for non-domestic customers ends on 31 March 2023 and is replaced from April by the Energy Bills Discount Scheme, at a reduced rate of support.
Final consultation on ZEV mandate and CO2 emissions regulation published
The final consultation on the UK zero-emission vehicle mandate and CO2 emissions regulation for new cars and vans was published on 31 March 2023 and closed on 24 May.
Government response to Great British Insulation Scheme consultation published
The government published its response to the consultation on the Great British Insulation Scheme in March 2023, setting out the design of a supplier obligation later launched as a £1bn programme.
Rules and RegulationGrants and SchemesInsulation and Glazing
Government wholesale cost support for Bulb ends
Government funding of Bulb's wholesale energy costs under its Special Administration Regime ended on 31 March 2023, with the taxpayer bill estimated at £3.02 billion.
Phase 2 of Home Upgrade Grant begins
The second phase of the Home Upgrade Grant began in April 2023, with up to £700m allocated across English local authorities to fund energy efficiency upgrades and clean heating until March 2025.
Warmer Homes Scotland began using revised eligibility criteria
Warmer Homes Scotland moved to revised eligibility criteria in April 2023, after the first phase of applications closed on 31 March 2023 with referrals paused until October.
Government announces EV chargepoint funding and zero emission vehicle consultation
The government has set out plans for tens of thousands of new electric vehicle chargers and a consultation on zero emission vehicle sales requirements from 2024, alongside new insulation and heat pump funding.
Government announces extension of Boiler Upgrade Scheme until 2028
The government has announced a three-year extension of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to 2028, alongside a £30 million heat pump investment accelerator and a new insulation scheme.
Government announces intention to extend BUS until 2028
The government announced on 30 March 2023 that it intends to extend the Boiler Upgrade Scheme beyond its original 2025 end date to 2028, as part of its Powering Up Britain plan.
Government announces rebalancing of gas and electricity costs
The Heat Pump Association has welcomed government plans to rebalance gas and electricity costs, extend the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to 2028 and consult on a clean heat market mechanism.
Government published the Carbon Budget Delivery Plan
The government published its Carbon Budget Delivery Plan on 30 March 2023, setting out proposals and policies intended to enable carbon budgets four, five and six to be met.
Government published updated ZEV mandate consultation response
The Department for Transport has published its response to the 2022 technical consultation on the zero emission vehicle mandate, confirming car targets and raising the proposed van trajectory.
Government releases consultation on clean heat market mechanism
The government has opened a consultation on a clean heat market mechanism, alongside a Boiler Upgrade Scheme extension to 2028 and £30 million for heat pump manufacturing.
Great British Insulation Scheme begins
The Great British Insulation Scheme, a supplier obligation formerly known as ECO+, began in April 2023 to upgrade the least energy-efficient homes in Great Britain, with 300,000 homes expected to benefit.
New Approved Documents take effect
The 2022 editions of Approved Documents F Volume 2 and L Volume 2 take effect in Wales on 29 March 2023, replacing earlier guidance for buildings other than dwellings.
Cadent and British Gas offer all Whitby residents a choice to opt in or out of Hydrogen Village trial
Cadent and British Gas have written to all 2,000 residents in the proposed Whitby Hydrogen Village offering each household a choice to opt in to hydrogen heating or stay on natural gas.
New TechnologyWhere Our Energy Comes FromBoilers and Heating