Energy Act 2011

A Bill to make provision for the arrangement and financing of energy efficiency improvements to be made to properties by owners and occupiers; about the energy efficiency of properties in the private rented sector; about the promotion by energy companies of reductions in carbon emissions and home-heating costs; about information relating to energy consumption, efficiency and tariffs; for increasing the security of energy supplies; about access to upstream petroleum infrastructure; about a special administration regime for energy supply companies; about designations under the Continental Shelf Act 1964; about licence modifications relating to offshore transmission and distribution of electricity; about the decommissioning of nuclear sites; about the powers of the Coal Authority; for the repeal of measures relating to home energy efficiency; and for connected purposes.

The flagship policy in the Bill is the 'Green Deal', a scheme whereby householders, private landlords and businesses would be given finance upfront to make energy efficiency improvements, which would then be paid for by energy bill savings. It also introduces a range of other provisions.

Key areas

• establishes a new obligation on energy companies to help certain groups of consumers, who need extra support, with saving energy
• facilitates the roll-out of smart meters
• widens access to energy performance certificates
• makes information on energy bills clearer
• introduces measures designed to help improve energy security and to encourage low carbon generation
• grants additional powers to the Coal Authority to charge for certain services.