Ofgem meets with SFHA and Orkney Housing Association Ltd
Issues around energy suppliers, meters and costs explored.
This week, senior officials from Ofgem were hosted by Orkney Housing Association Ltd (OHAL) and SFHA to explore the range of energy issues facing housing associations and tenants.
With rising numbers of tenants living in fuel poverty, Ofgem again expressed support for the introduction of a social tariff for energy – which SFHA have been calling for the new government to put in place.
OHAL and SFHA also spoke of the need for a direct line for housing associations to contact energy suppliers, which would save significant amounts of time for staff.
There was lengthy discussion on the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) signal which is due to shut down in June 2025. This will impact the heating of around 250,000 Scottish homes, with around 70,000 in the Highlands and Islands. All parties outlined that raising consumer awareness on this cannot solve the issue alone and more should be considered on what energy companies themselves can do.
SFHA will continue to engage with Ofgem on the range of issues discussed and actions that can be taken to address them.