Written questions by McDonald.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of geothermal storage of energy from wind turbines on the mitigation of curtailment fees.

Clean Power will require greater levels of energy storage. Geothermal storage is relatively nascent but holds promise – particularly when there is demand for that heat nearby. We set out our ambition to unlock more flexibility from thermal storage in the Clean Flexibility Roadmap earlier this year and will set out our strategy for heat networks in the Warm Homes Plan.

When he expects OFGEM will publish findings of its investigation into British Gas and the forced installation of prepayment meters.

Ofgem’s investigation into the involuntary installation of prepayment meters (PPMs) by British Gas is ongoing. This is a matter for Ofgem as the independent regulator, and it would not be appropriate for the government to comment on an ongoing investigation.

Whether his Department has received interim findings from OFGEM’s investigation into British Gas on the forced installation of prepayment meters.

Ofgem’s investigation into the involuntary installation of prepayment meters (PPMs) by British Gas is ongoing. This is a matter for Ofgem as the independent regulator, and it would not be appropriate for the government to comment on an ongoing investigation.

What data his Department holds on (a) the number of prepayment meters forcibly installed by British Gas between 1 January 2022 and 31 January 2023 and (b) the number of those subject to forced installation that have since received compensation.

In March 2023, British Gas previously confirmed that it installed 25,000 PPMs under warrant in 2022. If any of these installations were completed wrongfully then it is vital that affected customers are appropriately compensated.

Whether his Department has set a deadline for OFGEM to publish findings of its investigation into British Gas and the forced installation of prepayment meters.

Ofgem’s investigation into the involuntary installation of prepayment meters (PPMs) by British Gas is ongoing. This is a matter for Ofgem as the independent regulator, and it would not be appropriate for the government to comment on an ongoing investigation.

What estimate his Department has made of the number of households eligible for the Warm Homes Discount in Middlesbrough and Thornaby East constituency in winter 2025-26.

The latest published Warm Home Discount statistics are for 2023/4 and use the constituency boundaries operating prior to the 2024 General Election. Most (82%) of the residential premises in Middlesbrough and Thornaby East constituency come from Middlesbrough constituency under the previous boundaries, in which 9,708 households received the Warm Home Discount rebate in 2023-24. The statistics only cover receipt of the Warm Home Discount and not eligibility.We don't have constituency-level estimates of likely numbers of future recipients of the Warm Home Discount under the potential expansion set out in the recent consultation. At a national level, we expect around an 80% increase in overall eligibility, but this will vary at local level due to e.g. differences in demographics, household makeup or the balance of rented vs owner-occupied properties, since these kind of factors could affect the likelihood of the benefit recipient (or their partner or appointee) being named on their energy bill (which is a requirement for eligibility).https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/warm-home-discount-statistics-2023-to-2024

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of requiring Ofgem to consider average changes to wages in future energy price cap methodology.

The Government continues to work closely with Ofgem to ensure that the price cap continues to protect consumers from unfair prices.

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of Ofgem's criteria for conducting future reviews of the energy price cap methodology.

The Government continues to work closely with Ofgem to ensure that the price cap continues to protect consumers from unfair prices.

How many households are (a) eligible for and (b) in receipt of the Warm Homes Discount in Middlesbrough and Thornaby East constituency.

The latest published Warm Home Discount statistics are for 2023/4 and use the constituency boundaries operating prior to the 2024 General Election. Most (82%) of the residential premises in Middlesbrough and Thornaby East constituency come from Middlesbrough constituency under the previous boundaries, in which 9,708 households received the Warm Home Discount rebate in 2023-24. The statistics only cover receipt of the Warm Home Discount and not eligibility.We don't have constituency-level estimates of likely numbers of future recipients of the Warm Home Discount under the potential expansion set out in the recent consultation. At a national level, we expect around an 80% increase in overall eligibility, but this will vary at local level due to e.g. differences in demographics, household makeup or the balance of rented vs owner-occupied properties, since these kind of factors could affect the likelihood of the benefit recipient (or their partner or appointee) being named on their energy bill (which is a requirement for eligibility).https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/warm-home-discount-statistics-2023-to-2024

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the rate of earnings before interest and tax allowance in OFGEM's energy price cap methodology.

The setting of the energy price cap is a matter for the independent regulator Ofgem. The earnings before tax and interest (EBIT) allowance allows energy suppliers to make a reasonable profit that ensures long-term investment, while limiting excess profits. The law requires Ofgem to ensure the cap level reflects the underlying efficient costs of supplying energy.