We have all been affected by the global energy crisis, however, this is being most keenly felt by those who are not protected by the energy price cap because they live within buildings served by heat networks, or communal energy systems.
The Energy Bill, currently making its way through Parliament, changes that, and gives Ofgem powers to take action where prices appear to be disproportionate or significantly higher for heat networks.
In the House of Commons, Nickie Aiken, Member of Parliament for the Cities of London & Westminster, highlighted the importance of this legislation with the Minister for Nuclear and Networks, Andrew Bowie MP, and asked him to look into the domestic heat network definitions to ensure Ofgem can better understand what systems qualify so that households get the support they need.
Speaking out in the Commons, Nickie said,
"In my constituency we have a particular issue with commercial and domestic use, because residents are often in the same building as commercial properties. It would be helpful for the Minister to look at the definition of heat network systems, so that Ofgem can understand what systems qualify as heat networks in domestic properties, which are a real issue in my constituency."
Minister for Nuclear and Networks, Andrew Bowie MP, replied,
"The measures in the Bill will provide the Government with powers to implement heat network zoning in England. Those include powers to develop a nationwide methodology for identifying and designating areas as heat network zones, and to establish a new zoning co-ordinator role—which we generally expect will be filled by local government, though my hon. Friend is free to apply—with responsibility for designating areas as heat network zones and enforcing requirements in them. They also include powers requiring heat networks developed in zones to meet a low-carbon requirement, and to ensure that certain buildings and heat sources connect to a heat network in a zone within a specific timeframe. The relevant Minister in the Department and I will be happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss how that will be relevant to her urban constituency as we move forward and seek to implement these proposals."
