Plans to ensure that Britain’s homes and businesses are powered by affordable, clean and secure electricity by 2035 have been unveiled by the government. It brings forward by 15 years the government’s commitment to a fully decarbonised power system by 2050.
To ensure this ambition becomes a reality, the government will double down on efforts to deploy a new generation of home-grown technologies – from offshore wind, hydrogen and solar, to nuclear, onshore wind and Carbon Capture and Storage.
What are the key target dates along the way? Take a look at our useful timeline of the key milestones in the green calendar.
The Domestic Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) Regulations set a minimum energy efficiency level for domestic private rented properties. Since 1 April 2018, landlords or owners have been required to ensure their property meets the MEES requirements before a new lease or tenancy is granted.
Restrictions on new tenancies for PRS with EPC rating F&G
In June 2019, the UK became the first major economy to pass a net zero emissions law. The UK’s legally binding net zero target for 2050 means that any emissions would need to be balanced by schemes to offset an equivalent amount of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, such as planting trees or using technology like carbon capture and storage.
UK Government set a target to acheive net zero greenhouse gas emissions across the whole of the UK by 2050
Since 1 April 2020, landlords can no longer let, or continue to let properties covered by the MEES Regulations if they have an EPC rating below E, unless they have a valid exemption in place. Landlords planning to let a property with an EPC rating of F or G need to improve the property’s rating to E, or register an exemption, before they enter into a new tenancy.
Restrictions on all tenancies for PRS with EPC rating F&G
New changes came into force on 15 June 2022 and are interim measures to increase of energy performance standards for domestic and non-domestic buildings ahead of the Future Homes Standard and Future Buildings Standard.
Part L building regulations come into force
We are still awaiting the policy statement following the consultation so dates and requirements may change.
Proposed requirements for mortgage lenders to start annual declaration of mortgage book EPC average
We are still awaiting the policy statement following the consultation so dates and requirements may change.
Proposed date for new tenancies for PRS to be min EPC C
Reduce costs of heat pumps by 25-50%
Reduce cost of heat pumps
Implementation of new Future Homes Standard to ensure new homes will produce 75-80% less carbon emissions
Future Homes Standard to reduce carbon emissions
Proposal that new homes constructed from 2025 onwards will not be able to connect to gas network
Gas networks
Potential introduction of regulations to end installation of new fossil fuel heating systems in existing offf gas grid properties
End installation of new fossil fuel systems
Decision expected on potential hydrogen rollout
Hydrogen rollout
We are still awaiting the policy statement following the consultation so dates and requirements may change.
Proposed date for all PRS tenancies to be EPC C or above
Aim for parity of price of heat pumps with gas boilers
Heat pumps
We are still awaiting the policy statement following the consultation so dates and requirements may change.
Proposed date for mortgage lenders to achieve portfolio average of EPC C (proposed £10k cap on spend requirements)
Starting in 2035, phasing out the installation of new and replacement gas boilers
Phasing out gas boilers