Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that heat network suppliers maintain adequate consumer service standards.
The Energy Bill introduces a regulatory framework for heat networks. Under the proposed regulatory framework, Ofgem will be given new powers to regulate prices in this sector. The legislation contains the ability for government to set minimum efficiency standards for heat networks. Ofgem will also have powers to set rules requiring heat networks to disclose publicly sufficient information to the consumer to understand how much they are paying. This includes fixed charges, tariffs, and unit rates, and clear explanations about how prices are set and how heat network consumers are billed.