Key Facts

• The Secretary of State signaled a potential change in the government's plan regarding levies on household energy bills for hydrogen gas sector support.
• Caroline Nokes cast the deciding vote on an amendment related to this issue previously.
• It is open to the Government to table further amendments in later stages of the Bill.
• Amendments 160 and 161 aim to regulate or prohibit load control by high-risk vendors.
• High-risk vendors are defined as those posing potential or actual security risks to energy networks.
• New clause 40 sets out exceptional circumstances allowing the Government to invoke these measures.
• Kaifa Technology, a Chinese company with close ties to China Electronics Corporation, is highlighted due to US sanctions and data security concerns.
• Government has spent considerable time preparing means to manage risks associated with hostile actors in the energy system.
• Load controllers would be required to report incidents that disrupt service continuity under the NIS regulations.
• The Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021 require most private charge points for domestic and workplace use to meet minimum device-level cyber-security requirements.
• Clause 199 sets out how the Secretary of State may modify conditions of licences granted under the Electricity Act 1989 for load control purposes.
• The Government do not consider Clause 204 effective in improving energy performance of buildings.
• The heat and buildings strategy was published in autumn 2021, aiming to reduce emissions from buildings.
• As of now, 47% of homes in England have reached EPC band C, up from 14% in 2010.
• A consultation on upgrading houses will be published by the Government in 2023.
• The future homes standard aims to be introduced by 2025 with a technical consultation planned for 2023.
• The clause mandates an action plan for the Secretary of State to achieve targets such as 100% installation of relevant heating appliances by 2035 and EPC band C homes by 2035.
• More than 13 million homes in England are below a C rating on the energy performance certificate standard, accounting for around 20% of total UK carbon emissions.
• Insulation rates fell by 92% after energy efficiency programmes were cut in 2013.
• Labour's plan targets 19 million homes.
• Almost 9,000 neighbourhoods in England and Wales have very low incomes but higher than average energy costs due to poor insulation.
• The cost of the Labour plan is estimated at £6 billion per year.
• The clause was inserted by Cross-Bench and Liberal Democrat peers in the House of Lords.
• After 13 years of Conservative Government, 47% of UK homes have an EPC grading; target is to exceed 50% soon.
• The government has set out a heat and buildings strategy and announced further measures in the net zero growth plan.
• The new clauses aim to amend regulations requiring all tenancies in England and Wales to have an energy performance certificate (EPC) of at least Band C by December 31, 2028.
• Exemptions are provided for occupiers who refuse permission or where technical feasibility is lacking.
• Local Authorities will be able to inspect properties upon request.
• Financial penalties for non-compliance can reach £30,000 per property and per breach.
• Clause 205 provides power to amend existing Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations.
• Clause 206 enables changes to regulations regarding new premises, including construction and adaptation.
• New clauses aim to require all tenancies to have an EPC of at least Band C by December 31, 2028.
• The investment cap for landlords is proposed to be raised from £3,500 to £10,000.
• New clause 41 aims to enforce consultation proposals into law.
• Private rented sector has the worst energy efficiency record.
• Landlords should not be allowed to rent out properties with low EPC ratings in the future.
• New clause 42 would ensure EPCs reflect two-way energy systems within buildings.
• The Secretary of State must conduct a review on new technologies within 12 months after the Act is passed.
• The Government are still consulting on the report.
• Subsection (3)(a) of new clause 41 would enable Local Authorities to inspect properties without permission from landlords and tenants at an agreed time.
• New clause 42(1) mandates a review of the 'Improving Energy Performance Certificates: action plan' within 12 months of the Act being passed.
• ESOS mandates energy audits every four years for large undertakings covering buildings, transport, and industrial processes.
• The existing scheme's net benefit is estimated at £1.6 billion.
• Clause 209 covers four core options to amend ESOS and sets out general provisions for regulations.
• Clause 219 provides the Secretary of State with a power to give directions to a scheme administrator.
• Clause 220 enables the Secretary of State to provide or arrange for financial assistance to scheme administrators and ESOS participants.
• Subsection (2) of clause 219 includes a power to vary or revoke directions given by the Secretary of State.
• The discussion centres on subsections (1), (2), and (3) within a section of the Energy Bill.
• Section 51 of the Climate Change Act 2008 provides precedent for comparable provisions allowing revocation by the Secretary of State.