Brighton and Hove Energy Services Co-operative (BHESCo)’s Post

On 21 November 2024, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) announced a series of updates and policy changes aimed at accelerating the UK’s transition to low-carbon heating. MCS warmly welcomes these measures and is optimistic about their potential to further drive the adoption of heat pumps across the UK. Key highlights from today’s announcement include: -Increased funding for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). -Reform of the Clean Heat Market Mechanism, set to launch on 1 April 2025. -Updates to planning rules for air source heat pumps: The requirement for air source heat pumps to be installed at least 1 metre from a property’s boundary will be removed. Hear what our CEO, Ian Rippin, had to say below. Read more 👉 https://bit.ly/4eGg3fP

The electric grid infrastructure and the future

HIGH LEVEL POWER SECTOR ENGAGEMENT FORUM Power Security and Energy Transition: The Roles of Utilities, Power Pools, and Governments

The Secretary of State for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has given permission for Ofgem to over-allocate vouchers for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) by up to £30 million. Read full article: https://lnkd.in/eKSVN6-F #BoilerUpgradeScheme #DESNZ

Top stories today 📰 Weekend press: National Grid’s net-zero vision https://buff.ly/3VndB7P Our weekly round-up of news from the national press over the weekend includes National Grid’s plans for decarbonisation; speculation about Thames Water’s finances; OVO Energy facing a deluge of customer dissatisfaction; and a case for more gas-fired power stations is made to protect the economy under a new government. ❓ Government does not know exact number of heat pump installations https://buff.ly/43omOPf The government has been told to reform the way it tracks heat pump installations after it emerged that there is no single measure tracking progress. The UK National Audit Office warns that failing to accurately track installations could undermine the government’s target of rolling out 600,000 devices per year by 2028. The recommendation is made within a damning report on the rollout of heat pumps which also calls for a decision on hydrogen for home heating before the current 2026 deadline and warns that the 600,000 annual target is built on overly optimistic projections. 🪁 Zonal pricing could push 10GW of offshore wind into southern England https://buff.ly/494KkBX The introduction of zonal power pricing could push 10GW of additional offshore wind to locate in Southern England by 2050. This generation would largely come from Northern England, which would nevertheless remain host to the largest offshore wind capacity in Great Britain, according to analysis commissioned by the government as part of its Review of Electricity Market Arrangements. 💧 Water companies slammed for failing to engage with customer groups https://buff.ly/3IEoM4H Three water companies have been heavily criticised for failing to properly engage with their customer-focused stakeholder groups. The CCW has taken aim at South East Water UK, Portsmouth Water and Hafren Dyfrdwy for the way they engage with their Independent Challenge Groups (ICGs), in its review of PR24 business plans. However, the consumer body has been forced to amend its review and apologise to Southern Water after its initial publication falsely accused the company of deliberately restricting information it provided to its ICG. South East Water also "entirely refutes" any wrongdoing.

Top stories today ✅ UK networks back split from Europe on SF6 https://buff.ly/49PBHMA Mirroring the hard stance that has been taken on SF6 in electrical switch gear in Europe would threaten the UK’s net zero ambitions, electricity networks have warned. SF6, which has been used to insulate electrical switchgear since the 1960s, is 23,500 times more powerful as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. The European Union has set out a phased approach to banning SF6 in new installations, but UK networks have warned of the challenges this will bring. ⚠️ Standing charge shake-up may hold back net zero drive, Ovo warns https://buff.ly/3UYPjRt Shifting bill costs from standing charges to unit rates could deter households from switching to electric heat and vehicles, with knock on consequences for the transition to net zero, OVO has warned. In one of a string of concerns raised by the industry with the House of Commons energy security and net zero (ESNZ) committee about the unintended consequences of reforms to standing charges, the supplier said increases in unit rates will have a "disproportionate impact" on households using electric heating. 🏡 Retreat on funding has ‘shaken’ confidence in Labour’s Warm Homes Plan https://buff.ly/3OY0uGc The Labour Party has been urged to provide a long-term funding commitment for its Warm Homes Plan after scaling back its pledge to spend £6 billion a year on energy efficiency upgrades. More than 30 organisations, including National Energy Action (NEA), Generation Rent UK and Greenpeace, have signed an open statement expressing alarm over the retreat, warning it has “shaken” industry confidence.

HIGH LEVEL POWER SECTOR ENGAGEMENT FORUM Power Security and Energy Transition: The Roles of Utilities, Power Pools, and Governments

HIGH LEVEL POWER SECTOR ENGAGEMENT FORUM Power Security and Energy Transition: The Roles of Utilities, Power Pools, and Governments

HIGH LEVEL POWER SECTOR ENGAGEMENT FORUM Power Security and Energy Transition: The Roles of Utilities, Power Pools, and Governments

When demand for electricity peaks, we turn on dirty, inefficient power plants. The Office of Energy Transformation has a webinar coming up about alternatives. https://lnkd.in/ejCjJEjn. (note: image courtsey of PSE Healthy Energy).