Latest news with #DepartmentforEnergySecurity&NetZero
Scotsman
28-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Gregor Poynton MP receives UK Government response on Selms Muir Hydrogen Project backing
Gregor Poynton, MP for the Livingston constituency, has received a positive response from the Government following his letter backing the Selms Muir Hydrogen Project for selection in the Second Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR2) Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... In a response dated 16 May 2025, Sarah Jones MP, Minister of State for Industry at the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero, thanked Mr. Poynton for writing in support of the project and confirmed the Government's continued engagement during the next stage of the HAR2 process. The Minister outlined that HAR2 is a highly competitive round, with 87 initial applications competing for support, of which only 27 projects across England, Scotland and Wales have been shortlisted. The selection process has focused on project deliverability, portfolio diversity and value-for-money factors, with particular consideration given to cost, scale, location and supply to hard-to-abate sectors. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Commenting on the Government's response, Gregor Poynton MP said: "I'm pleased to receive this positive response from Minister Sarah Jones MP regarding the Selms Muir Hydrogen Project. While the competition is fierce with 87 applications for just 27 shortlisted projects, I'm continuing to make the case to Ministers for this tremendous local project. Gregor Poynton MP is backing UK Government investment in the Livingston constituency. "The Selms Muir project represents exactly the kind of innovative, green technology investment that West Lothian needs. With its potential to produce six tonnes of low-carbon hydrogen daily and support decarbonisation across West Lothian's transport and industry sectors, this project could bring significant jobs and investment to our constituency. "I welcome the Government's recognition of hydrogen's key role in delivering our Clean Energy Superpower mission and net zero commitments. I'll continue advocating strongly for Selms Muir throughout the process, as I believe this project demonstrates the deliverability, value for money, and strategic importance that the Government is looking for." The Selms Muir Hydrogen Project, a partnership between hydrogen developer Hygen and renewable energy leader European Energy, will deliver a 20MW electrolyser hub co-located with the Selms Muir Solar Farm. The project has the potential to power buses, construction equipment, and heavy vehicles across West Lothian, supporting the UK's ambitious goal of 10GW of low-carbon hydrogen production by 2030. The project is now undergoing the due diligence and cost assessment phase, where projects must continue to demonstrate deliverability, affordability, and value for money throughout the process.
Daily Record
28-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
'Positive response' from Minister to Livingston MP's letter of support for hydrogen project
Competition is fierce with 87 applications but just 27 shortlisted Livingston's MP received a 'positive response' from the Minister of State for Industry to a letter he sent backing the Selms Muir Hydrogen Project. The project was one of 87 applications to the UK Government for selection in the Second Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR2). From those only 27 projects across the UK are shortlisted. Gregor Poynton MP received a response from Industry Minister, Sarah Jones MP at the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero, thanking him for writing in support of the Livingston project and confirming continued engagement during the next stage of the HAR2 process. The Minister outlined that HAR2 is a highly competitive round, with 87 initial applications competing for support, of which only 27 projects across England, Scotland and Wales have been shortlisted. The selection process has focused on project deliverability, portfolio diversity and value-for-money factors, with particular consideration given to cost, scale, location and supply to hard-to-abate sectors. The Selms Muir Hydrogen Project, a partnership between hydrogen developer Hygen and renewable energy leader European Energy, will deliver a 20MW electrolyser hub co-located with the Selms Muir Solar Farm. The project has the potential to power buses, construction equipment, and heavy vehicles across West Lothian, supporting the UK's ambitious goal of 10GW of low-carbon hydrogen production by 2030. Gregor Poynton MP said: 'I'm pleased to receive this positive response from Minister Sarah Jones MP regarding the Selms Muir Hydrogen Project. While the competition is fierce with 87 applications for just 27 shortlisted projects, I'm continuing to make the case to Ministers for this tremendous local project. 'The Selms Muir project represents exactly the kind of innovative, green technology investment that West Lothian needs. With its potential to produce six tonnes of low-carbon hydrogen daily and support decarbonisation across West Lothian's transport and industry sectors, this project could bring significant jobs and investment to our constituency. 'I welcome the government's recognition of hydrogen's key role in delivering our Clean Energy Superpower mission and net zero commitments. I'll continue advocating strongly for Selms Muir throughout the process, as I believe this project demonstrates the deliverability, value for money, and strategic importance that the government is looking for.' The Selms Muir Hydrogen Project is now undergoing the due diligence and cost assessment phase, where projects must continue to demonstrate deliverability, affordability, and value for money throughout the process.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Couple's bill quadruples after 'faulty heat pump'
A couple who installed a heat pump in order to save money say they have been left with a faulty system and their bills have more than quadrupled. Geoffrey and Julie Cox claim since the air source heat pump was put in their bills have risen from £140 a month to more than £1,000 and it does not heat their home. The Chesterfield couple are among others who have had similar issues with a system fitted by Sheffield's Greener Living Ltd, which received money under a government scheme before going into administration last March. The BBC has made several attempts to contact the defunct firm. The government said heat pumps "fitted under government schemes must be installed by a certified installer". Air source heat pumps are renewable heating systems that extract heat from the outside air and transfer it into the home. They run on electricity instead of gas and are widely seen as the best way of cutting emissions of carbon dioxide from home heating systems, which accounts for 14% of the UK's carbon emissions. A Freedom of Information request seen by the BBC showed that Greener Living Ltd was given more than £4m as part of government efforts to encourage homeowners to replace existing fossil fuel heating with more efficient, low carbon systems. Mr Cox said they decided to install a greener alternative to their gas boiler in order to keep their bills down amid rising energy costs. "It's so frustrating because you know every month you're going to get a walloping bill and how are we going to pay it? We've run out of cash." On top of high bills, the couple say their financial situation has been made worse because they are still paying off the £15,000 loan taken to pay for installation. Mrs Cox said: "If we had the money then we would have had it taken out and the gas put back in without a doubt. "But the fact is, we still have to pay for the system even if we had it removed. "We did this to save money but in actual fact it's cost us a fortune." The couple said numerous attempts to fix the system had failed and their bungalow had never felt colder. In winter, they said they were sat inside with their coats on and with blankets over them to keep warm. "I was taking a hot water bottle to bed. I've not done that since I was 10," said Mrs Cox. Other former Greener Living Ltd customers have complained about similar problems on a dedicated Facebook page which has nearly 400 members. One person posted: "The system cost a fortune and it's never worked properly. Four freezing cold winters I've endured." A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero said: "Any heat pump fitted under government schemes must be installed by a certified installer, with any issues promptly and properly rectified at no cost to households. "Where regulatory issues are identified, we work closely with Ofgem and certification bodies to ensure support is available to households to find redress." The spokesperson added that 92% of heat pump users who were surveyed after having their heat pump for two heating seasons were satisfied. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. UK homes install subsidised heat pumps at record level What you can do to reduce carbon emissions What is a heat pump and how much do they cost?
BBC News
19-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Couple's energy bill quadruples after 'faulty heat pump'
A couple who installed a heat pump in order to save money say they have been left with a faulty system and their bills have more than and Julie Cox claim since the air source heat pump was put in their bills have risen from £140 a month to more than £1,000 and it does not heat their Chesterfield couple are among others who have had similar issues with a system fitted by Sheffield's Greener Living Ltd, which received money under a government scheme before going into administration last March. The BBC has made several attempts to contact the defunct firm. The government said heat pumps "fitted under government schemes must be installed by a certified installer". Air source heat pumps are renewable heating systems that extract heat from the outside air and transfer it into the run on electricity instead of gas and are widely seen as the best way of cutting emissions of carbon dioxide from home heating systems, which accounts for 14% of the UK's carbon emissions. A Freedom of Information request seen by the BBC showed that Greener Living Ltd was given more than £4m as part of government efforts to encourage homeowners to replace existing fossil fuel heating with more efficient, low carbon Cox said they decided to install a greener alternative to their gas boiler in order to keep their bills down amid rising energy costs."It's so frustrating because you know every month you're going to get a walloping bill and how are we going to pay it? We've run out of cash."On top of high bills, the couple say their financial situation has been made worse because they are still paying off the £15,000 loan taken to pay for Cox said: "If we had the money then we would have had it taken out and the gas put back in without a doubt."But the fact is, we still have to pay for the system even if we had it removed."We did this to save money but in actual fact it's cost us a fortune." The couple said numerous attempts to fix the system had failed and their bungalow had never felt winter, they said they were sat inside with their coats on and with blankets over them to keep warm."I was taking a hot water to bed. I've not done that since I was 10," said Mrs former Greener Living Ltd customers have complained about similar problems on a dedicated Facebook page which has nearly 400 person posted: "The system cost a fortune and it's never worked properly. Four freezing cold winters I've endured."A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero said: "Any heat pump fitted under government schemes must be installed by a certified installer, with any issues promptly and properly rectified at no cost to households."Where regulatory issues are identified, we work closely with Ofgem and certification bodies to ensure support is available to households to find redress."The spokesperson added that 92% of heat pump users who were surveyed after having their heat pump for two heating seasons were satisfied. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
