Rules and Regulation News: page 33
- October 2023
Ofgem introduces licence changes to make it easier to contact energy suppliers
Ofgem changed energy supply licences in October 2023 to make suppliers easier to contact, and satisfaction with ease of contact later rose from 60% in 2023 to 76% in 2025.
Ofgem published a working paper on its benchmarking approach for the operating cost review
Ofgem has published a working paper on how it benchmarks suppliers' operating costs within the price cap, weighing a high efficiency expectation against maximising protection for customers.
Ofgem publishes update letter on wholesale review timings and adjustment framework
Ofgem has set out its minded-to position of making no adjustment to the energy price cap for wholesale costs incurred between October 2022 and September 2023, and is consulting on a framework for such decisions.
Ofgem re-publishes price cap levels for cap period 11a under new 2023 TDCV values
Ofgem has re-published the October to December 2023 price cap levels using new 2023 Typical Domestic Consumption Values, putting the dual fuel direct debit cap at £1,834.
PAS 2035 (2023) released with key changes
Elmhurst Energy has published key information and changes on the October 2023 release of PAS 2035 (2023), the standard that domestic retrofit projects must comply with in the UK.
Revised EBIT allowance methodology takes effect in the price cap
Ofgem has revised the profit margin allowance in the energy price cap to a fixed and variable element, and reissued the October to December cap levels on new consumption figures.
UNC mod 840 change reduces prepayment cap level
Ofgem's October price cap methodology change equalising Unidentified Gas allocation between prepayment and non-prepayment customers cuts the prepayment cap level by £51, part offset by a £9 bad debt allowance.
Voluntary code of conduct on forced PPM installations due to come into force
A voluntary code of conduct governing the forced installation of prepayment meters is due to come into force on 1 October 2023, with campaigners saying it does not go far enough.
- September 2023
Coalition of over 130 organisations calls for an energy social tariff
More than 130 organisations have written to the Prime Minister calling for a social tariff, as the Energy Price Guarantee is set to end in 2024 and no consultation has been published.
E3G assesses UK government response to gas crisis
E3G analysis finds the UK has not enacted long-term measures to cut exposure to volatile gas markets, and sets out recommendations on a social tariff, retrofit and renewables.
Revised PAS 2030:2023 published
The revised PAS 2030 was published on 28 September 2023, opening an 18-month transition period that makes the 2023 edition mandatory for government-backed retrofit work from 31 March 2025.
Revised PAS 2035 and PAS 2030 standards published
Revised PAS 2035 and PAS 2030 retrofit standards were published on 28 September 2023, with an 18-month transition period before the 2023 editions come into full operation.
DESNZ issues change notice to increase BUS grant levels
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero issued a change notice on 21 September 2023 raising Boiler Upgrade Scheme grants for air and ground source heat pumps to £7,500 from 23 October 2023.
Government confirms delay of EV mandate deadline to 2035
The government has confirmed it will push back the end of sale date for new conventional petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2030 to 2035, leaving the details of the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate outstanding.
Government confirms ZEV mandate remains in place
Ministers have confirmed the zero emissions vehicle mandate is unchanged after confusion over whether Rishi Sunak's rollback of climate policies had also swept away the scheme requiring electric car sales.
ChargeUK issues statement urging government to confirm 2030 phase out date and strong ZEV mandate
ChargeUK has urged the Prime Minister to confirm the 2030 phase out date for new petrol and diesel vehicles and a strong ZEV mandate, calling the government's news extremely worrying for industry confidence.
Nesta calls on UK Government to keep 2035 gas boiler commitment
Nesta has urged the UK Government to keep its commitment that no new gas boilers are installed after 2035, warning that any retreat would raise costs and slow heat pump uptake.
Ofgem gains power to direct suppliers to ringfence customer credit balances
Ofgem has confirmed that since 20 September 2023 it can direct an energy supplier holding too little cash against customer credit balances to ringfence funds, and has begun publishing quarterly data on those balances.
Phase-out of off-gas-grid fossil fuel boilers and new coal heating delayed to 2035
Rishi Sunak's September 2023 net zero speech delayed the phase-out of new oil and LPG boilers and coal heating for off-grid homes from 2026 to 2035, while raising Boiler Upgrade Scheme grants to £7,500.
Prime Minister delivers speech relaxing Net Zero policies
The Prime Minister's September 2023 Net Zero speech delayed fossil fuel car and boiler phase-outs and dropped planned energy efficiency rules for rented homes, prompting the Climate Change Committee to warn the UK is unlikely to meet its 2030 emissions target.
Rishi Sunak announces rollback of key net-zero targets
Rishi Sunak has delayed the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel car sales to 2035, loosened the gas boiler phaseout and dropped energy efficiency rules for rented homes.
Sunak announces delays to core net-zero policies in "new approach" speech
Rishi Sunak has delayed the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars to 2035, pushed the off-gas-grid fossil heating phaseout to 2035 and scrapped rental energy efficiency rules.
MCS responds to SEG confusion and sets out its future role
MCS has clarified that regulated Smart Export Guarantee tariffs require an MCS certified installation, while non-regulated export tariffs remain at energy companies' discretion, and has set out planned scheme changes.
Ofgem publishes decision on Involuntary PPM rules
Ofgem has confirmed new licence rules on involuntary prepayment meters, widening the group that must never be given one to households with children under two and those occupied only by adults over 75.
OPSS intervenes with 11 gas hob manufacturers over safety risks
The Office for Product Safety and Standards has secured commitments from 11 gas hob manufacturers, nine of them UK firms, to modify affected models after faulty elbow joints were linked to poisoning, burns, fires and explosions.
Consultation on SAP and RdSAP amendments for ECO schemes closed
The National Insulation Association has published its response to a closed government consultation on changing the energy rating method used for ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme.
Coalition writes to Energy Secretary seeking ban on forced PPMs
The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has written to Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho asking her to legislate against forced prepayment meter installations and to keep Ofgem's current ban in place until at least April 2024.
Fuel Bank Foundation head warns MPs of impending winter fuel crisis
The head of the Fuel Bank Foundation told MPs that the UK faces another winter fuel crisis without further targeted government support, as bills remain double pre-crisis levels.
2030 petrol and diesel car ban postponed to 2035
Rishi Sunak postponed the ban on new petrol and diesel car sales from 2030 to 2035, removing the five-year extension previously given to hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
AR5 CfD auction fails to attract offshore wind bids
The Climate Change Committee has confirmed that no offshore wind contracts were awarded in the fifth Contracts for Difference auction, after the strike price failed to keep pace with supply chain costs.