Rules and Regulation News: page 35
- August 2023
RECC publishes annual report highlights for 2022
The Renewable Energy Consumer Code has published highlights from its 2022 annual report, recording 3,037 member businesses, over 108,000 installations and £176,557 recovered for consumers.
TÜV Rheinland (China) achieved MCS accreditation for solar PV products
TÜV Rheinland (China) Ltd became the first MCS product certification body based outside Europe in August 2023, initially certifying solar panel products for the UK market.
ChargeUK writes to Prime Minister urging commitment to 2030 ZEV mandate
ChargeUK has written to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak urging him to stand firm on the 2030 phase out of petrol and diesel cars and on the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate due in 2024.
CfD Allocation Round 5 secures no offshore wind capacity
The fifth Contracts for Difference allocation round secured no offshore wind capacity, a result Ember says puts the government's 50 GW offshore wind target for 2030 at risk.
Consultation published on future regulation of heat networks
Ofgem and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero have published a consultation on regulating heat networks, with rules expected to start in 2025 and Consumer Scotland named as advocate.
Consumer Scotland publishes response to Ofgem statutory consultation on involuntary prepayment meters
Consumer Scotland has told Ofgem it supports putting the involuntary prepayment meter code into supply licences and keeping over 85s in the do not install category, but wants under 5s moved there too.
Consumer Scotland responds to Ofgem statutory consultation on consumer standards
Consumer Scotland has told Ofgem it broadly backs the regulator's proposed consumer standards for energy suppliers, while calling for outcomes-based compliance, minimum standards for agency lines and recognised customer service accreditation.
UK Government confirms cancellation of proposed £120 hydrogen household levy
The Energy Secretary has confirmed that a proposed £120 annual levy on household energy bills to fund hydrogen production, due to take effect in 2025, will not be imposed on households.
Government directs Ofgem to end PPM premium
In August 2023 the Government directed Ofgem to permanently end the premium paid by prepayment meter customers, with a Call for Evidence on levelling the standing charge.
Nesta submits written evidence to Parliament on decarbonising home heating
Nesta has told Parliament that ministers should confirm a 2035 fossil fuel boiler phase-out, lift the Boiler Upgrade Scheme cap and cap the electricity to gas price ratio at 2.5.
Ofgem announces cap fall to £1,923 for Q4 2023
Ofgem set the default tariff cap for October to December 2023 at £1,923 for a typical dual fuel household, down from £2,074, though standing charges rose and the Energy Bills Support Scheme has ended.
Ofgem publishes call for input on engaging domestic consumers in energy flexibility
Ofgem has opened a call for input on how to move households from passive bill paying to active energy flexibility, with responses due by 29 September 2023.
Ofgem set out options to levelise prices across payment methods
Ofgem has set out options for levelling the standing charges paid by prepayment meter customers with those paid by other households, as part of a wider review of debt-related costs in the price cap.
Welsh Government publishes draft Heat Strategy for Wales for consultation
The Welsh Government has published a draft Heat Strategy for Wales, setting out its path to net zero heat by 2050 and opening the document to consultation.
- July 2023
Citizens Advice responds to Ofgem statutory consultation on involuntary prepayment meters
Citizens Advice has welcomed Ofgem's statutory consultation on involuntary prepayment meters and asked the regulator to widen the Do Not Install category to cover under-fives and some serious health conditions.
Consultation opens on energy efficiency requirements of Building Regulations
Northern Ireland's Department of Finance opened a consultation on 26 July 2023 on energy efficiency requirements and related areas of Building Regulations, later extended by one month.
MCS appoints British Assessment Bureau as a certification body
MCS has appointed the British Assessment Bureau as a certification body for small-scale renewables, its third such appointment in a year after more than a decade without new ones.
Statutory consultation on consumer standards licence changes published
Ofgem has published the stage three statutory consultation on proposed consumer standards licence changes, alongside responses to its May policy consultation, moving the rules closer to implementation.
Scottish Government publishes EPC reform consultation
The Scottish Government has opened a consultation on reforming domestic and non-domestic Energy Performance Certificates, proposing new metrics, a shorter validity period and a move to a webpage format.
Government publishes vision for a better energy retail market
The government has published its vision for the future energy retail market, setting out targeted reforms and confirming a consultation on reform options would follow later in 2023.
NEA and consumer groups call on Government to publish social tariff consultation
National Energy Action, Energy UK, Citizens Advice, Fair By Design and MoneySavingExpert have urged the Government to publish its planned consultation on a social tariff and other bill support before Parliament returns in September.
E3G publishes Autumn Budget briefing urging fiscal support for private rented sector energy efficiency
E3G has published an Autumn Budget briefing calling on the Treasury to let landlords offset energy efficiency improvements against rental income and to support green lending for the private rented sector.
Nesta publishes policy plan for decarbonising home heating
Nesta has published a four-part policy plan for decarbonising UK home heating, covering a boiler phase-out date, cheaper electricity, installer growth and planning reform.
Citizens Advice published its response to Ofgem's statutory consultation on the supplier profit margin allowance
Citizens Advice has opposed Ofgem's plan to raise the profit margin allowance inside the retail price cap, saying the proposal is not justified by evidence and would not serve consumers.
E3G publishes recommendations for locally led retrofit reform
E3G has published recommendations for reforming local retrofit delivery in England, covering grant disbursement, planning rules and local energy planning, aimed at councils that run home upgrade schemes.
OPSS issues suspension notices on Cata / Culina gas hobs with certain elbow joints
The Office for Product Safety and Standards has suspended supply of two Cata and Culina gas hob models whose elbow joints can leak gas, and ordered a free modification programme.
Which? responds to Ofgem's expectations for energy suppliers on financial resilience and consumer support
Which? has welcomed Ofgem's new expectations for energy suppliers on financial resilience and customer support, while warning that bills remain almost double pre-crisis levels.
Renewable Adjudication Service launched by REAL
REAL has launched the Renewable Adjudication Service, run by CEDR, which becomes the second stage of the Renewable Energy Consumer Code dispute process in place of independent arbitration.
BEAMA publishes Future Homes Standard Phase 1 Impact Report ahead of consultation
BEAMA has published a Phase 1 Network-to-Emitter Impact Report on low carbon heating technologies for new homes, ahead of a Future Homes Standard consultation expected after summer 2023.
Draft Heat Strategy for Wales published for consultation
The Welsh Government published its Draft Heat Strategy for Wales for consultation in summer 2023, setting out long term requirements for decarbonising heat across all sectors by 2050.