Rules and Regulation News: page 52
- February 2022
OFGEM announces 54% energy price cap rise
Ofgem has confirmed a 54% rise in the energy price cap, taking average direct debit bills to as much as £1,971 from April and prepayment bills to £2,017.
Levelling Up White Paper published
The Levelling Up White Paper of 2 February 2022 sets out funding for energy efficiency in the worst performing homes and cites over 240,000 low carbon jobs by 2035.
Additional tolerable standard requirement delayed
Scottish Ministers have delayed by one year the date on which fire and carbon monoxide detection and warning equipment becomes part of the tolerable standard for housing in Scotland.
Additionality assumption revised from 100% to 70%
The final impact assessment for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme cuts the assumed additionality of its grants from 100 per cent to 70 per cent, meaning fewer installations are counted as extra.
BEIS to lay amended legislation for DRHI closure
BEIS intends to bring the closure of the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive into effect through amended legislation due to be laid before Parliament in February 2022, Ofgem has said.
Bulb collapse takes households affected by failed suppliers above 3.7 million this year
Green Alliance says 21 energy suppliers have collapsed since the start of September, and that Bulb's failure has taken the number of households affected by a failed supplier above 3.7 million this year.
UK Government releases new fuel poverty statistics for England
New government fuel poverty statistics for England show a lack of progress towards statutory commitments, with charities warning it will take over 60 years to meet them.
Ofgem decides to add SoLR charge to domestic gas unit rates
Ofgem confirmed in February 2022 that the costs of supplier failures would be recovered through a volumetric charge on domestic gas unit rates, adding to household bills.
Ofgem decides in-period adjustments to the Default Tariff Cap will be forward looking only
Ofgem has decided that any in-period adjustment to the Default Tariff Cap will apply only for the remainder of the cap period, not retrospectively, under a new licence power.
Ofgem previously set a £12 additional electricity shaping and imbalance allowance
Ofgem concluded in its February 2022 wholesale decision that electricity shaping and imbalance costs exceeded the price cap methodology, adding a £12 allowance recovered across cap periods eight and nine.
PAS 2030 and 2035 2022 iteration issued
The 2022 amendment to the PAS 2030 and PAS 2035 retrofit standards was issued in February 2022, adding a fully detailed Scottish matrix for retrofit skills and competencies.
Scottish homes required to have carbon monoxide alarms
Since 1 February 2022 every Scottish home has been required to have a carbon monoxide alarm in any room containing a fixed combustion appliance or flue, under rules now being publicised across the UK.
- January 2022
Consultation deadline on Ofgem's administration of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Ofgem's consultation on how it will run the Boiler Upgrade Scheme closed on 27 January 2022, covering the technical administration of the grant rather than who qualifies for it.
Consultation on Ofgem's administration of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme closes
Ofgem's consultation on how it will run the Boiler Upgrade Scheme closed on 27 January 2022, with a decision published and the scheme due to launch in Spring 2022.
MCS announces changes to the Heat Pump Standard
MCS has split its Heat Pump Standard into separate design and installation standards, mandatory from 1 April 2022, the day after the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive closes.
NEA publishes policy briefing on supporting vulnerable energy customers this winter
National Energy Action has published a policy briefing calling on the UK Government and Ofgem to act on the energy crisis and support vulnerable customers this winter.
New Approved Document Part O on overheating introduced
The government's Approved Document Part O, covering overheating in new homes and buildings where people sleep overnight, has been introduced, with two routes to compliance and implications for apartment and communal heating schemes.
Energy Saving Trust publishes response to off-gas-grid fossil fuel heating consultation
The Energy Saving Trust has published its response to a government consultation on phasing out fossil fuel heating in homes off the gas grid, backing a heat pump first approach from 2026.
NEA publishes response to BEIS energy retail market call for evidence
National Energy Action has published its response to the government's call for evidence on the future of the energy retail market, recommending a social tariff and extra protections for vulnerable households.
Government response published on NDRHI commissioning deadline extensions
The government has published its response to proposals to extend commissioning deadlines for existing Tariff Guarantee and extension applications under the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive.
Together Energy exits the market with British Gas as Supplier of Last Resort
Together Energy (Bristol E.) ceased trading on 18 January 2022 and its customers were moved to British Gas under the Supplier of Last Resort process, Ofgem's Warm Home Discount report confirms.
Citizens Advice responds to Ofgem consultation on short-term interventions to address market volatility
Citizens Advice has opposed Ofgem proposals to allow exit fees on default tariffs, while backing a requirement for suppliers to offer new tariffs to existing customers.
REA drafts member response to Ofgem BUS administration consultation
The REA has drafted a member response to Ofgem's consultation on how the Boiler Upgrade Scheme will be administered, with member feedback due by 24 January 2022.
NEA responds to Ofgem consultation on short term price cap changes
National Energy Action has told Ofgem that doing nothing is the best of the short term price cap options for fuel poor households, opposing exit fees on standard variable tariffs.
Citizens Advice responds to BEIS consultation on market-based mechanism for low-carbon heat
Citizens Advice has told BEIS that the Boiler Upgrade Scheme needs wider financial support, a single mandatory accreditation body and clearer guidance for manufacturers if low-carbon heat is to work for households.
NEA publishes response to BEIS consultation on phasing out fossil fuel heating in off gas grid homes
National Energy Action has told BEIS that phasing out fossil fuel heating off the gas grid must come with adequate funding and advice for low income households, including support for hybrid systems.
Consultation on market-based mechanism for low-carbon heat closes
A government consultation on a market-based mechanism to expand heat pump installations in existing UK properties closed on 12 January 2022, with the scheme proposed to start in 2024.
CE markings no longer recognised in Great Britain
From 1 January 2022 solid fuel heating products and other goods sold in Great Britain must carry the UKCA mark, with the CE mark no longer recognised in the GB market.
Compensation window opens for forced prepayment meter installations
Ofgem has opened a compensation route for households forced onto prepayment meters between 1 January 2022 and 21 January 2023 where suppliers broke the installation rules.
Ecodesign limits become mandatory for new stoves
New wood-burning and multifuel stoves sold in the UK have had to meet mandatory Ecodesign limits on four pollutants and a minimum real-world efficiency since 1 January 2022.