Rules and Regulation news, page 51
- April 2022
British Energy Security Strategy published
The British Energy Security Strategy, published in April 2022, set out extra support for home energy efficiency, including five years without VAT on energy saving materials.
Civil nuclear deployment ambition raised to up to 24GW by 2050
The government has raised its civil nuclear deployment ambition to up to 24GW by 2050, three times current capacity and up to a quarter of projected electricity demand.
Conservative government launches REMA electricity market review
The Conservative government launched a review of electricity market arrangements in April 2022, with a first consultation that July, examining the rules that set wholesale power prices.
Domestic energy cap rise worsens household energy bills
The Welsh Government extended its Fuel Support Scheme to more than 400,000 low-income households with £90m, citing higher bills worsened by the April domestic energy cap rise.
Electricity standing charges jumped by more than 80% in April 2022
Electricity standing charges under the price cap rose by more than 80% in April 2022, driven mainly by supplier of last resort costs added to network cost allowances.
Energy Security Strategy published with home energy efficiency largely absent
The UK Green Building Council said the government's Energy Security Strategy was "deeply disappointing" on home energy efficiency, with four policy measures announced but no comprehensive plan for upgrading the country's 29 million homes.
Final impact assessment published for Wales Part L, Part F and Part O changes
The Welsh Government has published its final impact assessment for changes to Parts L, F and O of the Building Regulations for residential buildings in Wales.
Scotland, Wales and Northern IrelandInsulation and GlazingCooling and Air Conditioning
Four energy efficiency policy elements announced alongside the strategy
Four home energy efficiency measures accompanied the Energy Security Strategy, including an advice service by summer, energy performance standards detail in May, £10m for green finance and a £30m heat pump competition.
UK Government announces energy support package for Great Britain households
The UK Government announced a package of support for almost all households in Great Britain in April 2022, including the £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme and an Energy Price Guarantee capping a typical bill at £2,500.
Government commits to 2035 phase-out of new and replacement gas boiler sales
The government has set 2035 as the date by which it intends to phase out the sale of new and replacement gas boilers, in its British Energy Security Strategy.
Government launches REMA programme
The government has launched the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements, a programme to reform Great Britain's electricity markets for a secure, low carbon system.
Government renames Energy Bills Discount as the Energy Bills Support Scheme
The Government published an explainer on 1 April 2022 renaming the Energy Bills Discount as the Energy Bills Support Scheme, the £400 grant later paid to households over winter 2022-23.
Government response to ECO4 consultation published
The government published its response to the ECO4 consultation on 1 April 2022, setting the Energy Company Obligation's rules for April 2022 to March 2026 and confirming a £4 billion scheme across Great Britain.
Great Britain introduced a temporary zero rate for energy-saving material installations
From 1 April 2022, Great Britain introduced a temporary zero rate of VAT on installing energy-saving materials in homes, reversed the 2019 restrictions and reinstated wind and water turbines as qualifying materials.
Great Britain reversed the legislative changes
VAT relief on installing energy-saving materials that had been narrowed in 2019 was reinstated in Great Britain from 1 April 2022, with Northern Ireland following on 1 May 2023.
Great British Nuclear Vehicle to be set up this year
The government's British Energy Security Strategy sets out plans to set up a Great British Nuclear Vehicle this year and expand nuclear, hydrogen and renewables capacity.
Group 23 period begins in England, Wales and Scotland
Zero rating for VAT on installing energy-saving materials in homes in England, Wales and Scotland applies to supplies made from 1 April 2022, under a group running to 31 March 2027.
MIS 3005 standards due to come into force
The MCS heat pump standard MIS 3005 splits into separate design and installation standards on 1 April 2022, the same day the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive closes.
Offshore wind ambition raised to up to 50GW by 2030 including up to 5GW floating
The UK government has raised its offshore wind ambition to up to 50GW by 2030, including up to 5GW of floating wind, in its British Energy Security Strategy.
Ofgem decides to remove the wall type distinction for heating measures in ECO4
Ofgem has confirmed it will remove the wall type distinction for heating measures under ECO4, publishing its final decision on the scheme's scoring methodology in April 2022.
Ofgem decides to split the standard heating control measure in ECO4
Ofgem has decided to split the standard heating control measure in ECO4 into two separate measures, a programmer and room thermostat measure and a TRV measure, in its final scoring methodology decision.
Ofgem introduces pitched roof insulation, hybrid wall insulation and district heating connection measures in ECO4
Ofgem has confirmed its final ECO4 scoring methodology, adding pitched roof insulation, hybrid wall insulation and district heating connection measures with partial project scores.
Ofgem price cap increase to coincide with predicted rise in child fuel poverty to over 2.5m households
End Fuel Poverty Coalition calculations predict more than 2.5 million households with children will be in fuel poverty from 1 April 2022, when the next Ofgem price cap increase takes effect.
Ofgem publishes ring-fencing proposals
Ofgem published proposals in April 2022 to ring-fence customer credit balances and Renewables Obligations payments, part of a financial resilience push after 29 supplier failures.
Prepayment meter average bills set to rise to £2,017
Average prepayment meter bills under the price cap were set to rise from £1,309 to £2,017 from 1 April 2022, as Ofgem raised the cap by 54 per cent.
The split heat pump Standards became mandatory
The MCS heat pump Standard MIS 3005 split into separate design and installation Standards on 1 April 2022, making both mandatory for certified contractors in the UK.
- March 2022
Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive closes
The Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive closed to new applicants on 31 March 2022, though accreditations have continued since, mainly through transfer of ownership applications.
Four SEG licensees exited the market due to insolvency during SEG Y2
Ofgem's second Smart Export Guarantee annual report shows four licensed suppliers left the electricity market through insolvency during 2021-22, so no data was received from them.
Proposed backstop date for all Scottish private rented dwellings to reach EPC of E
Scottish Government proposals would require every private rented home in Scotland to reach EPC band E by 31 March 2022, with a higher D standard proposed from 2022 and by 2025.
Single unit properties become ineligible for Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme
The government has ended Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme support for single unit properties such as bungalows, detached, semi-detached and terraced housing from April 2022, replacing it with grants aimed at renters, flat owners and landlords.