Latest news with #EnergyRedressScheme
Business News Wales
4 days ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
Powys Council Reports Progress and Challenges on Path to Net Zero
LED light fittings and solar PV panels installed on county council buildings in Powys have helped cut yearly carbon emissions by 113.96 tonnes and reduce energy bills by around £130,000. These are among the figures revealed in the Powys Net Zero Annual Report 2024, which will be presented to the county council's Cabinet. Key achievements for 2024 include: LED lighting: More than 3,600 fixtures replaced, saving 40,874kg CO2e. EV (electric vehicle) infrastructure: £635,000 secured for extra capacity. Energy efficiency: Improved in more than 1,800 properties. Solar PV (photovoltaic) installations: 528 kW installed, saving 73,083kg CO2e. Insulation and glazing: Significant upgrades across schools and community buildings. Major projects and funding in 2024 include: Shared Prosperity Fund: £7.17 million allocated to more than 25 decarbonisation projects. Warm Wales Scheme: Improved energy efficiency in homes. Energy Redress Scheme: Supported community-owned renewables. Nature Recovery Action Plan: Developed to enhance biodiversity and green spaces. Severn Valley Water Management Scheme: Began tackling flood risk and water resilience. However, despite these successes the council's carbon emissions for the 2023-24 financial year went up by 5.2% to 90,272.77 tonnes. This was in part due to: Inclusion of school transport data for the first time. Higher supply chain emissions. Fleet and business travel growth. There were decreases though in: Commuting and homeworking emissions. Waste emissions (due to a move away from landfill). 'We are committed to becoming a net-zero council by 2030 and supporting the county to reach net-zero by 2050,' said Councillor Jackie Charlton, Powys County Council's Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys. 'This first annual report outlines our progress, challenges, and plans for addressing the climate and ecological emergencies.' The challenges to the council reaching net-zero by 2030, identified in the report, include: Budget constraints. Limited staffing and fixed-term roles. Lack of organisation-wide climate literacy. Uncosted action plans. Cllr Charlton added: 'We have made meaningful progress but acknowledge the need for greater pace, scale, and investment. We remain committed to our Greener Powys vision and will continue to collaborate with communities and partners to meet our climate and nature goals.' Next steps for 2025-26, covered in the report, include: Developing a Net Zero Route Map and Carbon Management Plan. Finalising a Fleet Transition Plan and Low Carbon Heating Strategy. Expanding the county's EV charging infrastructure and renewable installations. Improving data systems for emissions tracking. Strengthening supply chain sustainability and social value procurement.
Business Mayor
12-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
Energy firms paying out £25 million a year to customers for ‘breaking rules'
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Energy companies in the UK have paid out £152 million over the past six years for failing to meet licence conditions, industry regulator Ofgem has revealed. Averaging £25 million a year since 2018, this money has been used to support vulnerable customers and fund initiatives promoting energy efficiency and net-zero policies. These funds come from payments and fines levied against companies for various infractions, which are then channeled through the Energy Redress Scheme. These infractions include issues such as inaccurate billing, subpar customer service, and manipulation of wholesale energy markets. Since 2018, the scheme has supported 647 projects aimed at assisting vulnerable consumers, offering energy-saving advice, and furthering the development of net-zero strategies. Recent examples of companies contributing to the scheme include Ovo Energy, which paid £2 million for mishandling customer complaints, and Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Limited, which paid £33.14 million for breaching energy market regulations. More than 700 members of the Public and Commercial Services Union in Glasgow, London and Cardiff will vote in the coming weeks (Yui Mok/PA) (PA Archive) This substantial sum highlights the potential financial consequences for companies that fail to comply with Ofgem's rules. The redress scheme ensures that these funds are used to benefit consumers and promote positive change within the energy sector. Ofgem said more than £55 million had been allocated to fuel voucher projects, providing help to vulnerable customers at risk of disconnection from their energy supply. Cathryn Scott, director for market oversight and enforcement at Ofgem, said: 'Protecting customers and ensuring they're treated fairly is at the heart of Ofgem's mission. 'That's why we make sure that when energy companies break the rules, they make amends by contributing to projects that make our energy system fairer and support those in need. '£152 million is a huge sum of money and has helped thousands of people all over the country struggling with bills, as well as contributing to projects that help people decarbonise and learn more about their energy consumption. 'Ofgem's enforcement function is a powerful weapon in our regulatory arsenal, evidenced by the more than £92 million in compensation to customers, redress payments and fines successfully handed out in 2024 alone. 'The latest milestone of securing £150 million in redress payments for good causes could not have happened without the thorough investigative work of our compliance and enforcement teams or the Energy Saving Trust who ensure the money is targeted to reach those in need.' The Citizens Advice Energyworks project in Brighton and Hove was recently awarded almost £528,000 by the scheme to help all city residents in fuel poverty with free and impartial energy advice. At the end of last year, research showed that more than 16,000 households in Brighton and Hove were living in fuel poverty, Ofgem said.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Energy firms paid out £152 million to vulnerable customers over past six years
Energy firms have paid out £152 million to vulnerable customers over the past six years after failing to meet the conditions of their licences, industry regulator Ofgem has said. Fuel vouchers and advice on how to save energy have been funded by £150 million in payments and fines paid by firms for misdemeanours such as incorrect billing, poor customer service and abuse of wholesale energy markets. The Energy Redress Scheme has been funded by money paid to Ofgem by energy companies which have breached regulations since 2018. Ofgem said the funds, that are then paid out as grants, have helped 647 projects which support vulnerable consumers, provide energy advice, and back the development of net zero policies. Ovo Energy recently paid £2 million to the scheme for failings in how the supplier handled customer complaints. A separate investigation last year into Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Limited resulted in the firm paying £33.14 million for breaching energy market rules. Ofgem said more than £55 million had been allocated to fuel voucher projects, providing help to vulnerable customers at risk of disconnection from their energy supply. Cathryn Scott, director for market oversight and enforcement at Ofgem, said: 'Protecting customers and ensuring they're treated fairly is at the heart of Ofgem's mission. 'That's why we make sure that when energy companies break the rules, they make amends by contributing to projects that make our energy system fairer and support those in need. '£152 million is a huge sum of money and has helped thousands of people all over the country struggling with bills, as well as contributing to projects that help people decarbonise and learn more about their energy consumption. 'Ofgem's enforcement function is a powerful weapon in our regulatory arsenal, evidenced by the more than £92 million in compensation to customers, redress payments and fines successfully handed out in 2024 alone. 'The latest milestone of securing £150 million in redress payments for good causes could not have happened without the thorough investigative work of our compliance and enforcement teams or the Energy Saving Trust who ensure the money is targeted to reach those in need.' The Citizens Advice Energyworks project in Brighton and Hove was recently awarded almost £528,000 by the scheme to help all city residents in fuel poverty with free and impartial energy advice. At the end of last year, research showed that more than 16,000 households in Brighton and Hove were living in fuel poverty, Ofgem said.
The Independent
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Energy firms paid out £152 million to vulnerable customers over past six years
Energy firms have paid out £152 million to vulnerable customers over the past six years after failing to meet the conditions of their licences, industry regulator Ofgem has said. Fuel vouchers and advice on how to save energy have been funded by £150 million in payments and fines paid by firms for misdemeanours such as incorrect billing, poor customer service and abuse of wholesale energy markets. The Energy Redress Scheme has been funded by money paid to Ofgem by energy companies which have breached regulations since 2018. Ofgem said the funds, that are then paid out as grants, have helped 647 projects which support vulnerable consumers, provide energy advice, and back the development of net zero policies. Ovo Energy recently paid £2 million to the scheme for failings in how the supplier handled customer complaints. A separate investigation last year into Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Limited resulted in the firm paying £33.14 million for breaching energy market rules. Ofgem said more than £55 million had been allocated to fuel voucher projects, providing help to vulnerable customers at risk of disconnection from their energy supply. Cathryn Scott, director for market oversight and enforcement at Ofgem, said: 'Protecting customers and ensuring they're treated fairly is at the heart of Ofgem's mission. 'That's why we make sure that when energy companies break the rules, they make amends by contributing to projects that make our energy system fairer and support those in need. '£152 million is a huge sum of money and has helped thousands of people all over the country struggling with bills, as well as contributing to projects that help people decarbonise and learn more about their energy consumption. 'Ofgem's enforcement function is a powerful weapon in our regulatory arsenal, evidenced by the more than £92 million in compensation to customers, redress payments and fines successfully handed out in 2024 alone. 'The latest milestone of securing £150 million in redress payments for good causes could not have happened without the thorough investigative work of our compliance and enforcement teams or the Energy Saving Trust who ensure the money is targeted to reach those in need.' The Citizens Advice Energyworks project in Brighton and Hove was recently awarded almost £528,000 by the scheme to help all city residents in fuel poverty with free and impartial energy advice. At the end of last year, research showed that more than 16,000 households in Brighton and Hove were living in fuel poverty, Ofgem said.
