Powering Homes News: page 87
- January 2023
Ohme launches ePod untethered smart charger
Ohme has added the ePod, an untethered smart charger carrying the same technology as its Home Pro, to its range, giving drivers a cable-free option for the first time.
UK Power Networks next regulatory price control period begins
UK Power Networks has begun its next regulatory price control period, running from 2023 to 2028, after its Green Recovery programme drew 360 bids and led to 86 approved projects.
Quarterly price cap increase planned for January 2023
The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has written to Ofgem urging it to drop a planned quarterly price cap increase in January 2023 and to make five urgent reforms to the energy market.
RECCo publishes report estimating energy theft costs consumers up to £1.4bn yearly
The Retail Energy Code Company has published a report with Capgemini estimating that energy theft costs consumers up to £1.4 billion a year and adds up to £50 to every bill.
Redrow announces all upcoming developments will feature air source heat pumps
Redrow announced in January 2023 that all its upcoming developments would feature air source heat pumps, two years ahead of the Future Homes Standard deadline.
Responsive Retrofit pilot launched
The Responsive Retrofit pilot, run by Clarion Futures and launched in 2023, combined money guidance, energy advice and small efficiency measures for tenants, with an evaluation published in 2025.
Review of energy standards commences to investigate a Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard
The Scottish Government began a review of building energy standards at the start of 2023 to investigate what a Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard might be.
Scottish government launches EPC reform consultation
The Scottish government has consulted on the design and content of Energy Performance Certificates, with findings from that consultation expected towards the end of 2024.
Severe-weather compensation scheme in place in Great Britain
Electricity network companies in England, Scotland and Wales have operated a severe-weather compensation scheme since 2023, funded by electricity customers, as confirmed by NIE Networks.
So Energy and Hometree partnership begins with Home Cover launch
So Energy and Hometree Finance launched a solar payment plan letting homeowners in England and Wales spread installation costs from £75 a month over five to twenty-five years.
Welsh Government published consultation reviewing renewable energy targets
The Welsh Government has confirmed it consulted in January 2023 on renewable energy targets including 100% of annual electricity consumption from renewables by 2035 and 5.5GW of heat pump capacity.
Rules and RegulationWhere Our Energy Comes FromScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Wind generation overtook gas in early 2023
Zapmap reports that in early 2023 wind farms supplied more UK electricity than gas, a figure it cites in a guide rebutting common claims about electric vehicles.
- December 2022
UK government confirms voucher delivery for £600 Northern Ireland energy bill support
The UK government has confirmed that around 500,000 Northern Ireland households without direct debits will receive £600 energy bill support as vouchers issued from mid-January 2023.
Grants and SchemesEnergy Bills and the Price CapYour Type of Home
Default tariff (price cap) factsheet withdrawn
The government withdrew its Energy Security Bill factsheet on the default tariff price cap on 29 December 2022, after removing the Energy Price Cap measure from the Bill.
Electrification of Heat project releases latest insights on installation challenges and consumer barriers
The Electrification of Heat demonstration project has reported that 47 per cent of participants who declined a heat pump cited disruption, with installation averaging £14,800 per property.
SSEN appoints Freedom Group of Companies Ltd as design and build contractor for £41 million programme
SSEN Distribution has appointed the Freedom Group of Companies Ltd as design and build contractor for 12 network investment projects worth £41 million, with construction due to start in January 2023.
Bulb sale process concluded
The sale of Bulb Energy concluded on 20 December 2022 after a 10-month process, with its 1.5 million customers transferred to HiveCo, owned by the Octopus Energy Group.
CAT publishes home energy saving tips guide
The Centre for Alternative Technology has published a free guide setting out lower-cost ways for households to cut carbon emissions and energy bills, covering heating, hot water and electricity use.
Electrification of Heat project finds mass heat pump rollout feasible but innovation needed
Energy Systems Catapult has published findings from the Electrification of Heat Demonstration Project, which installed 742 heat pumps across Great Britain and identified disruption, space, technical and cost barriers to mass adoption.
Joint letter sent to energy firms over prepayment voucher access
Five consumer and energy organisations have written to energy suppliers calling for immediate action after a third of Energy Bill Support Scheme vouchers sent to traditional prepayment customers went unredeemed.
Octopus completes Bulb transaction
Octopus Energy completed its purchase of Bulb's customers, business assets and liabilities, including customer credit balances, on 20 December 2022, shortly after the price cap observation window opened.
Octopus purchases Bulb for £113 million
Octopus Energy paid the government £113 million for Bulb in December 2022, under a sale that left taxpayers funding wholesale costs and facing a shortfall.
Which? responds to unredeemed Energy Bill Support Scheme vouchers
Which? says a third of Energy Bill Support Scheme vouchers sent to traditional prepayment customers have not been redeemed, and has joined other bodies in writing to energy firms.
Government confirms £600 single payment for Northern Ireland households and £200 Alternative Fuel Payment for Great Britain
The government has confirmed a single £600 payment for all Northern Ireland households and a £200 Alternative Fuel Payment for Great Britain homes using fuels such as heating oil, with payments starting in January 2023.
Grants and SchemesYour Type of HomeEnergy Bills and the Price Cap
Christmas prepayment compulsion ban period begins
Electricity and gas suppliers in Northern Ireland have begun a Christmas period during which they will not compel customers in debt onto a prepayment meter unless the customer asks for it.
Energy Bills and the Price CapRules and RegulationSmart Meters
IM 009 approved as a substantial innovation measure
Ofgem has published that the standard uplift innovation measure IM 009 was approved as a substantial innovation measure on 16 December 2022, following an application under the scheme's technical approval process.
MPs debate prepayment meter self-disconnection and call for a ban
MPs debated self-disconnection of prepayment meters in the Commons on 15 December 2022 and agreed a motion urging the Government to outlaw the practice and halt forced switches.
Energy Bills and the Price CapRules and RegulationSmart Meters
Ofgem criticised over continued remote switching to prepayment
MPs have criticised Ofgem for failing to act on remote switching of smart meters to prepayment mode, six weeks after the regulator called the practice unacceptable.
ECIU analysis finds rooftop solar payback just over six years and grid-scale solar cheaper than gas
ECIU analysis published on 13 December 2022 finds rooftop solar paying back in just over six years and grid-scale solar plus battery already cheaper than gas power.
SSEN reports multi-million pound upgrade to North Acton electricity network
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks has announced a multi-million pound upgrade to the electricity network serving North Acton, published on 13 December 2022.