Rules and Regulation News: page 51
- 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.
Government releases EV infrastructure strategy
The Government has released an electric vehicle infrastructure strategy that aims to build charging provision ahead of need, a plan the motor industry trade body says points in the right direction.
Shell UK announces £20 to 25 billion energy sector investment over the next decade
Shell UK will invest between £20 billion and £25 billion in the UK energy sector over the next decade, with more than 75% of the funding directed at low carbon technologies including electric mobility.
SSEN publishes first DSO Action Plan
SSEN Distribution has published its first DSO Action Plan, covering flexibility products, markets and connections over an initial two-year period, with £73m of investment planned to 2028.
Fuel duty cut took effect UK-wide
The government cut petrol and diesel duty by 5p per litre for 12 months from 6pm on 23 March 2022, alongside a five-year VAT cut to 0% on home energy saving materials.
E3G publishes ten facts on home energy security ahead of expected UK energy security strategy
E3G has published ten facts on home energy security, covering gas-driven bill rises, cuts to insulation programmes and the case for a national retrofit programme, ahead of an expected UK energy security strategy.
Welsh Government called for cost of living action in the Spring Statement
The Welsh Government has written to the Chancellor before the Spring Statement, asking for a full crisis response to the cost of living emergency and setting out measures it says would help households pay bills.
Solar Energy UK and industry groups write to Chancellor urging 0% VAT on domestic renewables
Solar Energy UK and a group of industry and environmental bodies have written to Chancellor Rishi Sunak asking him to cut VAT on domestic renewable and energy efficiency technologies to 0% in the Spring Statement.
CCC publishes independent assessment of the UK Heat and Buildings Strategy
The Climate Change Committee has published an independent assessment of the UK Government's Heat and Buildings Strategy, finding ambition but gaps in funding, policy detail and supply chain capacity.
European Commission announces REPowerEU plan to end dependence on Russian fossil fuels
The European Commission has set out REPowerEU, a plan to cut demand for Russian gas by two thirds before the end of 2022 through diversified supplies, faster renewables and less gas in heating.
Scottish Government publishes easy read version of Heat in Buildings Strategy
The Scottish Government has published an easy read version of its Heat in Buildings Strategy, restating the goal of zero emissions buildings and plans for a National Public Energy Agency.
European Commission publishes REPowerEU
The European Commission published REPowerEU in March 2022, a week after the International Energy Agency set out a ten-point plan to cut reliance on Russian fossil fuels.
Government committed to phase out Russian oil imports by the end of 2022
The government has said it will phase out imports of Russian oil and oil products by the end of 2022, working with industry through a new Taskforce on Oil.
Ofgem publishes single decision covering consultation parts 1 and 2
Ofgem has published its single decision on the ECO4 scoring methodology consultation parts 1 and 2, setting out how energy efficiency measures will be scored under the scheme from 2022.
- February 2022
US and allies impose severe sanctions on Russia
The US and its allies announced severe sanctions on Russia's largest financial institutions and technology exports after the invasion of Ukraine, with energy markets and household bills in focus.
Statutory instrument closed the DRHI to new applications
Regulations laid in February 2022 closed the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive to new applications and new metering package applications from midnight on 31 March 2022, ending a scheme that had paid support since 2014.
Whoop Energy and Xcel Energy cease trading
Whoop Energy and Xcel Energy ceased trading on 18 February 2022, and Ofgem appointed Yu Energy to take on their customers, the Energy Ombudsman has confirmed.
BEAMA publishes white paper on ventilation and indoor air quality
BEAMA has published a white paper calling on the Government to raise ventilation standards in newbuild homes, pair energy efficiency retrofits with ventilation measures and treat poor indoor air quality as a public health emergency.
Hero Renewables removed from MCS scheme entirely
MCS has removed Hero Renewables Limited from its certification scheme after an investigation into complaints found significant failings, meaning the company is no longer MCS certified.
Price cap increase announced to apply from April
Energy UK has noted the announcement of an increase in the energy price cap that will apply from April, published alongside a parliamentary inquiry into decarbonising heat in UK homes.
MPs call for road pricing to replace fuel duty
The Commons transport select committee has told MPs that road pricing is the only workable replacement for fuel duty, warning of a £35bn shortfall as drivers switch to electric vehicles.
Ofgem decides to include Green Gas Levy allowance in default tariff cap from cap period eight
Ofgem has decided to add a Green Gas Levy allowance of about £2.69 per gas meter to the default tariff cap from April 2022, recovering scheme costs dating back to October 2021.
Ofgem decides to proceed with licence modification enabling in-period adjustments to the default tariff cap
Ofgem has confirmed it will change supply licences so it can recalculate the default tariff cap inside a cap period, under five tests, in exceptional circumstances.
Ofgem publishes policy consultation on medium term price cap changes
Ofgem has published a policy consultation on medium term changes to the energy price cap, proposing quarterly updates, a reduced notice period and a backwardation mechanism.
BEIS Committee publishes report on decarbonising heat in homes
The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee has published a report finding the Government is not on track to decarbonise residential heating and calling for a heat road map, sector deal and public awareness campaign.
Energy price cap increase announced
Turn2us has responded to the announcement of a higher energy price cap, warning that millions of households face uncertainty over their finances and calling for more targeted government support.
Energy price cap increase announced
Nesta has responded to the announcement of an increase to the energy price cap, calling the UK's energy price crisis a global gas crisis and pointing to home heating as the source of the solution.