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Call for crackdown on rogue heat pump installers
Companies which install net zero measures such as heat pumps should be subject to a single accreditation scheme, like the GasSafe mark, Citizens Advice has suggested. The consumer charity has warned that the net zero transition is at risk unless the government cracks down on rogue traders and gives consumers more protections.
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Only 4% of offshore wind leaders believe 50GW target is achievable
The vast majority (96%) of senior leaders in the UK’s offshore wind industry believe the government will miss its production target of 50GW by 2030, new research has found. A report by Newton Europe has been compiled following a survey of 200 senior decision-makers in the UK’s offshore wind industry, gathering their thoughts on the country’s progress towards its targets. Among the concerns raised by those surveyed include around the current state of the infrastructure needed to construct offshore wind assets, with the government’s offshore wind champion Tim Pick commenting that improving the UK’s port infrastructure was a priority.
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Drax seeks ‘bridging mechanism’ for BECCS plant 
Drax is in talks with government about a “bridging mechanism” to cover the end of the current renewable schemes in 2027 and the start of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) operations at Drax Power Station. The company said that the mechanism is needed to “provide multi-year certainty allowing Drax to secure long-term biomass supplies and continue to support energy security via flexible and reliable renewable biomass operations in advance of BECCS”.
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ESO sets ‘challenging’ connections reform go-live date
National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) has set itself a “challenging” go-live date of 1 January 2025 to implement its “first ready, first connected” connections reforms. The ESO has confirmed that it is progressing with its recommended model to tackle the connections queue backlog, which now stands at 420GW of generation projects seeking to connect.
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Local grid pricing risks net zero transition, warns EUK
Moving from the existing one-size-fits all wholesale electricity market to more locally specific pricing arrangements could pose a “considerable risk” to the transition to net zero, Energy UK has warned. The trade association has sounded the alarm ahead of the government’s upcoming second consultation into its Review of Electricity Arrangements, which has been promised before Christmas. 
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Generation on brownfield sites tipped to cut constraint costs
The government has been urged to open up brownfield sites for electricity generation infrastructure. MPs were told that using brownfield sites – which are closer to centres of demand – would cut network constraint costs, during a House of Commons energy security and net zero committee meeting.
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Metro mayors back creation of regional energy system plans
Local leaders representing almost a third of the UK’s population have backed Ofgem’s proposals for regional planning reform, the regulator has revealed. A policy summit with representatives from areas such as Greater Manchester, Liverpool and London, was recently hosted by Ofgem’s chief executive Jonathan Brearley and sought to accelerate local planning reform to help achieve the UK’s net zero targets.
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Weekend Press: Thames Water could run out of money in months
In our latest round-up of the weekend’s national news coverage, Thames Water auditors warn that the country’s biggest water company could run out of funds by April unless shareholders inject more equity into the debt-laden firm. Elsewhere, COP28 President caused a stir by claiming there is “no science” indicating that a phase-out of fossil fuels is needed to restrict global heating to 1.5C, while in Cumbria heavy snow left thousands without power.
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Ministers extend fast track planning rules for rooftop solar
The government has extended ‘fast track’ planning rules for installing rooftop solar panels. The changes to permitted development rights will enable more homeowners and businesses to install solar panels on their roofs without having to go through the planning system.
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EA records slip in ‘excellent’ bathing water quality
A slight dip in the number of designated bathing areas being classified as excellent or good this year has been attributed by the Environment Agency to an unseasonably wet summer. Overall, 96% of locations met the regulator's required standards.
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Energy retailers to join shared PSR in Q1 2024
A truly joined-up priority services register for water and energy companies is to finally become a reality in the first quarter of 2024 as retailers start sharing their data on vulnerable customers, Utility Week understands. In a milestone moment for the sector, energy suppliers will switch from a process of explicitly asking customers for consent to share their data to one in which the substantial public interest clause is used to comply with data protection laws.
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Scottish heat upgrade plan labelled a ‘time bomb’
Scottish Government plans that could give the country’s homeowners and businesses two years to rip out their fossil fuel heating systems have been branded a “time bomb” by the opposition Conservatives. A consultation on a proposed Heat and Buildings Bill, outlines a swathe of tough new targets for accelerating uptake of energy efficiency and low carbon heating measures north of the border. It confirms that the use of “polluting” fossil fuel heating systems will be prohibited after 2045.
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