Powering Homes News: page 86
- January 2023
Government publishes new details on cost of living payments
The UK Government has published new details of cost of living payments running from spring 2023 to spring 2024, as National Energy Action warns the support will not stop millions being pushed into fuel poverty.
2023 Flexi variable cost values take effect for 1 January 2023
ScottishPower has published the first of three quarterly sets of variable cost values for its 2023 Flexi product, covering the period from 1 January 2023.
BEIS starts making EBSS payments in Northern Ireland
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy began paying Energy Bills Support Scheme grants in Northern Ireland in January 2023, three months after payments started in Great Britain.
Grants and SchemesEnergy Bills and the Price CapWind, Hydro and Micro-CHP
Bulb special administration adviser costs reach £49.9 million
Special administration costs for Bulb, including its administrators, their legal advisers and Lazard, reached £49.9 million by the end of January 2023 and are expected to reach around £60 million.
Cashback scheme to be replaced by grant scheme in 2022/23
The Scottish Government has confirmed that the Home Energy Scotland loan and cashback arrangements will be replaced in 2022/23 by a grant scheme for energy efficiency and zero emissions heat improvements.
Grants and SchemesScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandWhere to Start
Charities call for social energy tariff as research shows a quarter of over-60s in cold homes
Age UK polling shows a quarter of over-60s live in homes colder than they would like, as 100 charities and non-profits write to the Chancellor calling for a social energy tariff.
Citizens Advice publishes 'Kept in the dark' report on prepayment meters
Citizens Advice has republished findings from its January 2023 "Kept in the dark" report, which found more than 2 million people were disconnected from their energy supply at least once a month.
Cost-Plus Revenue Limit to come into force
The government's temporary Cost-Plus Revenue Limit on low-carbon generators in England and Wales is planned to come into force from the start of 2023, under powers in the Energy Prices Bill.
Detailed design and construction phase begins for 12 SSEN projects
SSEN Distribution has appointed Freedom Group as design and build contractor for 12 network projects worth £41 million, with construction due to start in January 2023 and completion targeted for July 2024.
Draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan published for consultation
The Scottish Government published its draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan for consultation in January 2023, setting out ambitions to transform how Scotland heats its homes and buildings.
E.ON Next and Shell Energy join the Vulnerability Commitment
E.ON Next and Shell Energy joined the Energy UK Vulnerability Commitment at the start of 2023, taking it to 13 signatories covering more than 90% of the UK domestic retail market.
E3G publishes briefing urging revival of MEES proposals for private renters
E3G has published a briefing arguing that the Energy Bill's return in 2023 offers a chance to revive revised Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards for private rented homes, consulted on in 2020 but never put to Parliament.
Economy 7 electricity tariffs rise by an average of 7.6%
Electricity-only Economy 7 customers saw average annual bills rise by £116 from 1 January 2023, a 7.6% increase driven largely by EDF and Scottish Power raising Economy 7 rates.
EHPA reports need for 500,000 skilled heat pump installers by 2030
The European Heat Pump Association has calculated that the sector needs at least 500,000 skilled full time equivalent workers by 2030 to meet REPowerEU ambitions, after record 2022 sales.
Energy price cap forecast to reach £4,266 a year from January 2023
Forecasts put the energy price cap at £4,266 a year for a typical household from January 2023, up from the £2,800 expected earlier in 2022, with low-income homes facing the sharpest squeeze.
Environment Improvement Plan 2023 introduced
The government published the Environment Improvement Plan in January 2023, the first review of the 25 Year Environment Plan, setting out measures on domestic burning including tighter emission limits for new stoves.
Environment Improvement Plan published confirming no ban on domestic burning in England
The Environment Improvement Plan states that the government is not considering a ban on domestic burning in England, and recognises that some households depend on solid fuel for heating, hot water and cooking.
EPC fuel prices updated with increases to all fuels
The January 2023 six monthly update to the fuel prices behind Energy Performance Certificates raised every fuel, but the new figures remain far below what households actually pay.
ESF investigation finds over 50 unsafe listings across five online marketplaces
Electrical Safety First found more than 50 unsafe electrical listings across five online marketplaces, with a further 58 products investigated in January 2023 all deemed unsuitable for sale.
Future Homes Standard draft publication expected in 2023
The government has accelerated work on the Future Homes Standard, with draft publication now expected in 2023 as part of a two-stage tightening of building rules.
Gas costs push consumer electricity prices to four times 2021 levels
Ember analysis finds UK consumers paid four times more for electricity in January 2023 than two years earlier under Ofgem's price cap, as soaring gas costs drove the crisis peak.
Energy Bills and the Price CapStatisticsWhere Our Energy Comes From
Government announces cut in fuel poverty support for next winter
The Government has announced reduced financial support for households in fuel poverty in 2023/24, with energy bills set to rise from 1 April 2023 as the Energy Bills Support Scheme ends.
New heat networks consented from 2023 to use low or zero emissions heat sources
Heat networks consented in Scotland from 2023 will have to draw their heat from low or zero emissions sources, under proposals set out in a Scottish Government consultation.
Hypothermia cases in England surge during energy bills crisis
Hypothermia cases in England rose 82 per cent in December 2022 against the same month a year earlier, figures reported during the energy bills crisis show.
UK imports no fossil fuels from Russia
The UK imported no coal, oil or gas from Russia in January 2023, as fossil fuel imports from Russia continued to fall after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Leicester Energy Action project begins supporting vulnerable households
National Energy Action's Leicester Energy Action project has been supporting vulnerable people across the city since January 2023, funded by NHS Integrated Care and run with Leicester City Council's public health team.
Octopus Electroverse launches on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Octopus Electroverse has put its charging app on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, adding charger search, filtering, charger details and inbuilt navigation to compatible electric vehicle screens.
Ofgem announces market compliance review into PPM practices
Ofgem opened a Market Compliance Review into involuntary prepayment meter practices in January 2023, alongside an urgent investigation into British Gas and a market-wide pause on forced installations.
Ofgem introduced stringent new rules for prepayment meter installations
Ofgem brought in stringent new rules for prepayment meter installation in 2023, after suppliers failed to follow the rules on forced installation, a later government review confirms.
Ofgem opens investigation into British Gas over PPM practices
Ofgem has opened an investigation into British Gas and a Market Compliance Review into prepayment meter practices, alongside a consultation on strengthening protections for involuntary prepayment meter installations.