Powering Homes news, page 88
- January 2023
Government demands energy firms stop forcing customers onto prepayment meters
Grant Shapps has written to energy suppliers demanding they stop moving customers onto prepayment meters against their will, as Ofgem reviews whether firms took enough care.
Energy Bills and the Price CapSmart MetersRules and Regulation
Ofgem to review supplier decisions to move customers to prepayment
Ofgem will review whether energy suppliers took enough care before moving customers onto prepayment meters, as the government demands firms stop forced switches.
Compensation window opens for forced prepayment installations
Ofgem has set out when households forced onto a prepayment meter between 1 January 2022 and 21 January 2023 can claim compensation, where their supplier did not follow the rules properly.
Energy Bills and the Price CapRules and RegulationSmart Meters
Government and Ofgem publish electric vehicle smart charging action plan
The government and Ofgem have published an action plan setting out how they will deliver energy flexibility from electric vehicle charging, alongside funding for vehicle-to-everything projects.
Government response to Environmental Information Regulations request published
Government figures released under an Environmental Information Regulations request show announced policies will lift only around 140,000 E-G homes to Band D by 2025, leaving 515,000 fuel poor households below the milestone.
Prime Minister says consulting on options including a social tariff
The Prime Minister told the House of Commons on 18 January 2023 that the Government was consulting on options for energy bills, including a social tariff, as part of wider reforms of the retail energy market.
95 organisations call on Chancellor to introduce an energy social tariff
Ninety-five charities and non-profit organisations have written to the Chancellor calling for a social tariff, as a new Fuel Poverty Monitor warns of rising fuel poverty from April 2023.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapGrants and Schemes
Fuel Poverty Monitor 2021-22 published by NEA and Energy Action Scotland
National Energy Action and Energy Action Scotland have published the UK Fuel Poverty Monitor 2021-22, recommending a mandatory social tariff from April 2024, backed by 95 charities and non-profit organisations.
E3G publishes briefing urging tighter energy efficiency rules for UK landlords
E3G has published a briefing arguing that raising minimum energy efficiency standards for rented homes in the UK would save tenants £570 a year and the economy £1.75bn a year.
Mission Zero independent review of Net Zero published
The Independent Review of Net Zero, led by Chris Skidmore MP, was published as Mission Zero, with industry bodies highlighting consumer protection and installer standards in home energy efficiency work.
Retrofit Installers Working Group launched with TrustMark and other Certification Bodies
NAPIT has launched a Retrofit Installers Working Group with TrustMark and other certification bodies, focused on quality assurance checks and protecting consumers from noncompliant retrofit work.
SSEN energises Bournemouth network upgrade
SSEN has energised a 2.2 kilometre replacement cable between East Howe and Victoria Park substations in Bournemouth, completing a £2.7 million upgrade that began in March of last year.
Energy Systems Catapult launches consumer heat pump guide
Energy Systems Catapult has published a consumer guide to heat pump conversations, aimed at helping homeowners make informed decisions across the four stages of an installation.
Government opens consultation on improving boiler standards and efficiency
The government has opened a consultation on improving boiler standards and efficiency, covering minimum standards, a hydrogen-ready mandate for new gas boilers from 2026 and boiler-heat pump hybrids.
YouGov survey shows strong public support for renewables in new-build homes
A YouGov survey of 1,722 UK adults found 80% support for solar panels as standard on new-build homes, 66% for battery storage and 60% for heat pumps, ahead of a Government consultation on the Future Homes Standard.
Draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan published
The Scottish Government published its draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan on 10 January 2023, opening a consultation on a route map to a net zero energy system.
Plan to implement Passivhaus standard in Scotland announced
The Scottish Government announced plans on 10 January 2023 to introduce minimum environmental design standards for all newbuild housing, meeting a Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard.
Rules and RegulationInsulation and GlazingScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Citizens Advice responds to the BEIS ECO+ consultation
Citizens Advice has told the government its ECO+ energy efficiency scheme, with a £1bn budget over three years and a 410,000 household target, could be far more ambitious.
Insulating foam ban date changed
Government guidance on fluorinated gases was updated on 4 January 2023 to record that a ban on F gases in insulating foam is already in force, rather than starting in 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.