Rules and Regulation News: page 32
- October 2023
Scottish Government publishes Heat in Buildings progress report 2023
The Scottish Government's 2023 Heat in Buildings progress report records £170 million of capital investment through delivery schemes and confirms a consultation on a Heat in Buildings Bill.
Off-gas-grid fossil fuel heating ban delayed to 2035
The government has delayed its ban on installing oil, LPG and new coal heating in off-gas-grid homes from 2026 to 2035, while raising Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump grants to £7,500.
Ofgem announces price cap fall for October 2023
Wholesale prices fell below the level of the Energy Price Guarantee, and the price cap was set to fall to £1,923 in October 2023, a Commons Library briefing has noted.
Welcome Home to Energy Efficiency campaign launched
The government has launched the Welcome Home to Energy Efficiency campaign and raised Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump grants to £7,500, while delaying the off-gas-grid fossil fuel boiler ban to 2035.
Ember analysis says clean power system would save UK households £300 a year by 2030
Ember analysis published on 18 October 2023 says meeting the government's 2030 clean power targets would cut UK household electricity bills by £300 a year and save the economy £8.7 billion annually.
National Insulation Association submits response to Scottish Government EPC reform consultation
The National Insulation Association has told the Scottish Government it backs a separate fabric rating on reformed EPCs, a five-year validity period and wider installer choice for Home Energy Scotland funding.
Ofgem decides to modify supply licence conditions on consumer standards
Ofgem has confirmed new supply licence conditions requiring energy suppliers to make contact easier and support customers struggling with bills, taking effect from 14 December 2023.
Energy Systems Catapult submits response to Scottish Government EPC reform consultation
Energy Systems Catapult has responded to the Scottish Government's consultation on Energy Performance Certificate reform, proposing three outcome-focused metrics in place of the current system.
Ofgem announces energy debt at highest ever level of £2.6 billion
Ofgem has reported household energy debt of £2.6 billion, the highest level on record, prompting National Energy Action to call for a Help to Repay scheme and an enduring social tariff.
Ofgem opens policy consultation on additional debt-related costs allowance
Ofgem has opened a consultation on whether to add a temporary allowance to the price cap for extra debt-related costs, proposing a float from April 2024 and a later true-up.
NIE Networks announces change to design standard for new domestic connections
NIE Networks will introduce a higher-capacity design standard for new domestic connections from 1 November 2023, after a consultation on accommodating electric vehicle chargers and heat pumps.
Where Our Energy Comes FromScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Citizens Advice publishes Heat GB network costs research
Citizens Advice research by LCP Delta finds electrification has the lowest network costs in 10 of 12 Great British archetypes, with hydrogen cheapest in the remaining two.
EPC reform consultation closes with 323 responses
The Scottish Government's consultation on reforming Energy Performance Certificates closed in October 2023 with 323 responses, 122 from organisations and 201 from individuals.
MCS announced plans to redevelop oversight of the low-carbon sector
MCS has appointed Brian Wright as its first Group Finance Director and set out plans to redevelop its oversight of consumer protection, quality and compliance across the low-carbon sector.
MCS publishes outcome of scheme redevelopment consultation
MCS has published the outcome of its consultation on redeveloping the certification scheme, confirming new documents before the end of 2023 and a relaunch in summer 2024.
Ofgem reschedules wholesale cost review consultation and delays possible cap adjustment to April 2024
Ofgem has pushed back its follow-up consultation on wholesale cost allowances in the default tariff cap to late November or early December, delaying any cap adjustment to April 2024 at the earliest.
Over 140 organisations write to Government urging tariff reform consultation
More than 140 organisations have written to the Government urging it not to abandon plans to consult on reform of energy tariffs, after ministers appeared to rule out a social tariff consultation.
New DFS for winter 2023-24 launched incorporating research recommendations
A new Demand Flexibility Service for winter 2023-24 has been launched, with National Grid ESO issuing recommendations to providers after research into last winter's scheme found most participants were satisfied.
End Fuel Poverty Coalition asks Energy Security Committee for urgent evidence session on forced PPMs
The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has written to the Commons Energy Security Committee asking it to take evidence within 28 days on 124 forced prepayment meter warrants granted to Scottish Power by Berkshire Magistrates Court.
Energy Act 2023 passed by UK Parliament
The Energy Act 2023, passed by the UK Parliament in October 2023, underpins new consumer protections and technical standards for heat networks across Great Britain.
Energy price cap reduced in October 2023
The energy price cap fell on 1 October 2023, cutting the maximum unit rate suppliers can charge on standard variable tariffs, before Ofgem confirmed a 5% rise for the following quarter.
Environment Agency permit rules apply to new ground source heat pumps from 1 October 2023
Ground source heat pump installations completed after 1 October 2023 may require an Environment Agency permit, according to updated Planning Portal guidance for England.
Government confirms heat pumps and heat networks as primary low-carbon heating technology
The government confirmed in October 2023 that heat pumps and heat networks will be the primary low-carbon technologies for home heating over the next decade, with a key role in all pathways to 2050.
Heat and Buildings Strategy sets plan to end new fossil fuel boiler installations by 2035
Hydrogen UK has told the Public Accounts Committee that the October 2021 Heat and Buildings Strategy plans to end new fossil fuel boiler installations by 2035, while warning that hydrogen heating trials have slipped.
IGEM reports homeowner uncertainty over boiler phase-out plans
IGEM has published survey findings showing 48 per cent of UK homeowners are unsure how the boiler ban will affect their properties and 65 per cent doubt government transition schemes.
Matthew Pratt appointed Co-Chair of Future Homes Standard Implementation Board
Matthew Pratt, chief executive of Redrow, has become co-chair of the Future Homes Standard Implementation Board, the body set up to steer delivery of the 2025 standard across the homebuilding sector.
MCS opened a consultation on changes to the MCS 020 Standard
MCS has opened a consultation on changes to the MCS 020 noise assessment standard, which permitted development rights for air source heat pumps reference, following a government-commissioned review of heat pump noise.
National Infrastructure Commission recommends against hydrogen for home heating
The National Infrastructure Commission advised the government in October 2023 not to support hydrogen for home heating, a position set out in a National Audit Office report on decarbonising home heating.
Ofgem confirms new debt engagement and repayment plan requirements
Ofgem has confirmed new licence rules requiring energy suppliers to offer debt repayment plans at the earliest opportunity and to base them on what a household can actually afford to pay.
Ofgem decides to proceed with SLC 31G.3A requiring a range of contact methods
Ofgem has confirmed new licence conditions requiring energy suppliers to offer a range of contact methods, support customers in payment difficulty and publish their customer service ratings.