What strategy is in place to provide necessary infrastructure in Wales to future proof Welsh homes for the increase in the use of electrical technology?
A number of Assistive Technology projects have been funded by the Integrated Care Fund capital programme. Assistive Technology can be based in people’s homes and provide digital and technological support to allow them to live full and independent lives. It is particularly relevant to older people and people who require specialist support. The Integrated Care Fund aims to improve public services by integrating housing, the third sector, health and social services. The capital fund totals £105m over three years and is distributed to Regional Partnership Boards via a nominal allocation.
In addition energy suppliers have been required to offer smart meters to all homes and small businesses across the UK by 2020. The roll out of smart meters in not devolved to the Welsh Government, although we support and encourage their roll out to enable energy supply to better match demand and to reduce domestic energy bills.
Regulation of the grid itself is also a non devolved matter. However, Welsh Government is working with grid operators to evolve grid solutions to meet Wales’ needs, which are appropriate to the landscape and improve resilience. District Network Operators are already ensuring new homes are fit for the future and have started providing connections ready for electric heat and vehicles.
If the grid operators are to ensure the grid already in place is flexible, efficient and resilient, they need clarity on what demand and generation will be connected, to design appropriate networks. To ensure we have evidence to show the changes necessary in Wales, Welsh Government is supporting energy planning across Wales.
In respect of Electric vehicle charging infrastructure, new permitted development rights for electric vehicle charging points came into force on 1 April. The introduction of permitted development rights will facilitate the installation of a national network of electric vehicle charging points within both public and private car parking areas. However, we are also currently developing our wider electric vehicle policy to take forward a more comprehensive approach to the requirement of requiring charging points through Building Regulations for new homes.
Part L (Conservation of fuel and power) of the Building Regulations is currently being developed and a public consultation on the proposals is expected later this year. The current Part L review is considering renewable and low carbon technologies in developing energy performance targets for new dwellings. This will include what future proofing measures might be made now to make it easier for new homes to install low carbon heating (e.g. air source heat pumps) in the future.