During
yesterday’s session with the Energy and Climate Change Committee on DECCs
priorities for 2015 and beyond, the Secretary of State Amber Rudd clearly
signalled the key role that energy efficiency has to play in reducing carbon
and fuel bills and her intentions to work with industry in developing a long
term framework for homes and fuel poverty:
"Energy
efficiency is the most effective way to reduce carbon and reduce bills - it is
the win-win"
"I'm
particularly ambitious in this area and I want to put together a long-term
framework for homes and fuel poverty. I'm looking at the various initiatives
that have been in place under the last Government to find out which ones are
working best and which ones have not worked well, so that we can work with
industry to design a system that will deliver most cost effectively.”
Commenting
on yesterday's statements from the Secretary of State, our CEO Neil Marshall said
“We welcome the recognition of the importance of energy efficiency along
with the level of ambition and
intent and look forward to working with Ministers and officials in turning this
into the delivery of hard measures on the ground. With around 6m cavity
walls, 7m solid walls and 7m lofts in existing homes still lacking adequate
insulation, it is crucial that a long term plan is developed which will ensure
that these homes are insulated in a timely, systematic and cost effective
manner. Next week we are meeting with
DECC Ministers and look forward to kick
starting this process.
If we are to succeed in developing a
vibrant market for energy efficiency among able to pay households and tackling
the scourge of fuel poverty the new long term framework and plan outlined by
the Secretary of State will need to incorporate some important elements:
-
A
consumer awareness and engagement programme with Government backing to clearly
spell out the benefits of insulation.
-
Targeted
incentives and regulations where they are needed and can be justified as a
means of pump priming the market.
-
The
increased role that area based delivery can play in achieving more cost
effective delivery on the ground and engaging whole communities in energy
efficiency upgrades.
-
A
more attractive ‘Pay as you Save’ proposition that reflects the way that
consumers purchase and pay for other items with greater flexibility and choice
in interest rates and payback periods.
-
A more effective and efficient means of identifying
and targeting fuel poor households with a package of appropriate measures
delivered that will ‘fuel poverty proof’ the property.
-
The
importance of working with the industry, Local Government and consumer groups
in the development and delivery of the plan in order to benefit from their
expertise whilst achieving their support and ‘buy in’.”
No comments:
Post a Comment