Rules and Regulation News: page 26
- May 2024
Which? publishes policy paper calling for mandatory installer certification
Which? has called for mandatory certification of installers of low carbon heating, micro generation and insulation, plus government oversight of the schemes and a review of Trading Standards Services.
Scottish Government publishes planning circular 1/2024 on householder permitted development rights
The Scottish Government has published planning circular 1/2024, setting out the householder permitted development rights covering heat pumps, wind turbines, solar panels and biomass flues in Scotland.
Public Accounts Committee publishes report on decarbonising home heating
The Committee of Public Accounts says progress on heat pump installations falls short of the government's ambition of 600,000 a year by 2028, with costs and confusion holding households back.
Changes to Permitted Development Rights for solar expected to come into effect in Scotland
Changes to permitted development rights for solar in Scotland, expected to take effect on Friday 24 May, remove the 50kW ceiling on rooftop installations and relax rules in conservation areas.
Citizens Advice responds to Ofgem's call for input on the future of domestic price protection
Citizens Advice has told Ofgem that time-of-use tariffs expected after marketwide half hourly settlement bring new risks, and that default tariff consumers still need protection.
Government publishes plan to empower and protect energy consumers
The government has published an 18 page plan setting out how it aims to empower and protect consumers in the retail energy market through greater transparency and competition.
Ofgem confirms energy price cap for July to September 2024
Ofgem has confirmed the energy price cap will fall by 7% from 1 July to 30 September 2024, giving a typical dual fuel direct debit household an annual bill of £1,568.
Ofgem price cap falls but bills remain far above pre-crisis levels
Analysis from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit finds average annual dual fuel bills remain around 40 per cent, or £450, above pre-crisis levels even as the Ofgem price cap falls.
PDR changes intended to come into force
Scottish Ministers have laid a statutory instrument changing permitted development rights for solar panels, heat pumps, windows and electricity network infrastructure, intended to come into force on 24 May 2024.
New permitted development classes introduced for domestic solar, wind and windows in Scotland
Scotland has replaced its permitted development class for domestic wind turbines and added new classes covering solar panels, solar thermal and window alterations, in force from 24 May 2024.
Scottish permitted development rights for rooftop solar come into force
Rooftop solar panels in Scotland no longer need planning permission after the Scottish Government's permitted development overhaul came into force on 24 May 2024, removing the previous 50kW limit.
NEA responds to DESNZ call for evidence on default energy tariffs
National Energy Action has told the government that the price cap's consumer benefits should be kept while reform tackles multi-rate meters and a social tariff is consulted on.
Government states Future Homes Standard will come into force in 2025
The government confirmed in a written statement on 15 May 2024 that the Future Homes Standard will come into force in 2025, with rooftop solar to be encouraged in new homes.
Ofgem opens consultation on energy price cap operating cost allowances review
Ofgem has opened a consultation on how it sets the operating cost allowances inside the energy price cap, covering core costs, debt, smart metering and industry charges, with responses due by 14 June 2024.
Consumer Scotland publishes response to Ofgem Future Price Protection discussion paper
Consumer Scotland has published its response to Ofgem's Future Price Protection discussion paper, urging the regulator to place consumer outcomes at the centre of any reform of the energy price cap.
Retrofit Roundtable urges Scottish Government to act on retrofit recommendations
The Retrofit Roundtable, backed by SNIPEF and 12 industry partners, has published a report urging the Scottish Government to act quickly on retrofit so Scotland meets its net-zero and fuel poverty targets.
Connect Direct digital platform went live
The Energy Networks Association has confirmed its Connect Direct platform, a standardised digital application system for low carbon technology installations, went live as of May 2024.
Indefinite CE recognition established for 21 product regulations
The previous government removed the time limit on CE recognition in May 2024, making CE marking indefinitely valid for 21 product regulations including the 2010 Ecodesign Regulations.
Inflation returns to Bank of England 2.0% target
UK inflation reached the Bank of England's 2.0% target in May 2024, down from a 41-year high of 11.1% in October 2022, though household energy bills remain well above their pre-crisis levels.
Ofgem publishes benchmark maximum charges for Charge Restriction Period 12b
Ofgem has published the regional benchmark maximum charges for gas and electricity under the default tariff cap for Charge Restriction Period 12b, with all values given exclusive of VAT.
- April 2024
Which? publishes EPC reform policy paper
Which? has published a policy paper calling on the UK and Scottish governments to reform Energy Performance Certificates on information, accessibility and accuracy, saying current certificates fail households.
Consultation on smart and secure electricity system implementation published
The government has published its response to the 2024 consultation on smart and secure electricity systems, confirming standards for energy smart appliances, a load control licence and time of use tariff rules.
Consultation on changes to various permitted development rights closes
The government consultation on changes to various permitted development rights, covering home extensions, electric vehicle chargepoints and air source heat pumps, closed for responses on 9 April 2024.
Permitted development rights consultation closes
A government consultation on changes to permitted development rights in England, including rules affecting air source heat pumps, closed on 9 April 2024 after opening on 13 February.
ECIU analysis scores Government energy security strategy 3/10 two years on
The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit has scored the Government three out of ten on the commitments in its British Energy Security Strategy, two years after it was published.
HHIC responds to DLUHC consultation on permitted development rights changes
The Heating and Hotwater Industry Council has told a government consultation that the one metre boundary rule and the 0.6 cubic metre size limit for air source heat pumps should not be removed without safeguards.
Additional £735m energy debt charge takes effect under Ofgem rules
Ofgem's additional £735m bad debt allowance took effect on 1 April 2024, adding £28 a year to the typical household bill on top of £842m already charged.
New approach to consumer protection in energy markets to apply from April 2024 onwards
The government has confirmed it will develop a new approach to consumer protection in energy markets applying from April 2024, including options such as social tariffs.
New Build Heat Standard takes effect in Scotland
Scotland's New Build Heat Standard took effect on 1 April 2024, barring direct emission heating in new buildings whose building warrant is applied for on or after that date.
Climate Change Levy main rates change for gas and solid fuels
From 1 April 2024 the main Climate Change Levy rate on gas rises to match the frozen electricity rate, with solid fuel rates raised proportionally and LPG left frozen.