Powering Homes news, page 90
- January 2023
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Default tariff (price cap) factsheet withdrawn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.
GoodWe launched the HCA Series residential smart EV charger
GoodWe has launched the HCA Series, an AC wallbox for home EV charging offered in single-phase and three-phase variants and designed to work with the company's solar and hybrid inverters.
Energy UK publishes briefing on supplier support for customers as bills rise
Energy UK has published a briefing setting out the support energy suppliers give customers, including around £54 million of discretionary help on top of more than £1 billion in mandatory schemes each year.
BEIS opens consultation on the design of the ECO+ scheme for 2023 to 2026
BEIS opened a consultation on 6 December 2022 on the design of the ECO+ energy efficiency scheme for 2023 to 2026, a £1bn programme aimed at households outside existing fuel poverty support.
Grants and SchemesRules and RegulationInsulation and Glazing
Investigation reveals almost 500,000 court warrants for forced PPM installations since end of lockdown
An investigation for the i paper found energy firms secured almost 500,000 court warrants to install prepayment meters in the homes of customers in debt since the end of lockdown.
Energy Bills and the Price CapSmart MetersRules and Regulation
Enhanced Home Energy Scotland support launched
From 2 December 2022 homeowners in Scotland can claim a standalone Home Energy Scotland grant of £7,500 for heat pumps or energy efficiency work, with an extra £1,500 for rural homes.
Grants and SchemesScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandWhere to Start
HES Grant and Loan scheme launched
The Scottish Government launched the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan scheme in December 2022, replacing cashback with a standalone grant of up to £7,500 for clean heating and up to £7,500 for energy efficiency.
Amazon removes two heater products including one over safety concerns
Amazon says it removed two plug-in heater products in December 2022, one over safety concerns, after Which? testing found mini heaters that failed UK electrical safety rules.
Autumn Statement reinstates triple lock and extends Energy Price Guarantee
The Chancellor reinstated the triple lock, uprated benefits in line with inflation and extended the Energy Price Guarantee for a further 12 months at a higher price, Age UK has reported.
BEIS minister confirms £200 Domestic Alternative Fuel Payment timing
A BEIS minister has told MPs the £200 Domestic Alternative Fuel Payment will be paid in the New Year, with most households receiving it through their electricity bills.
UK BEV sales exceed petrol car sales in a single month for the first time
Battery electric cars outsold petrol cars over a 12-month period in the UK for the first time, with 516,490 new BEVs bought against 504,010 petrol cars in the year to May 2026.
BEVs become second most popular powertrain in UK
Battery electric cars became Britain's second most popular powertrain after petrol in 2022, as plug-in vehicles took a record share of a shrinking new car market.