A cross-industry letter has been sent to Chancellor Rishi Sunak to put pressure on the government to expand the support available for homes at risk of fuel poverty. The move follows the lack of focus on energy efficiency within the recently announced Energy Security Strategy and calls on the government to consider the introduction of an ECO+ scheme, which would build upon and run alongside the current ECO scheme.
The government has provided support for energy efficiency measures since 2013 under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO), which has since seen over 3 million energy efficiency measures installed in more than 2 million homes. However, while the tried and tested scheme targets vulnerable households, support for homes that fall outside this definition are not eligible.
It is proposed that the ‘ECO+ Scheme’ would build upon the success of the current ECO scheme, bringing its benefits to the ‘able-to-pay’. A key difference is that while energy bill payers fund the current ECO scheme to support action to benefit vulnerable householders, ECO+ would be funded from taxpayer funding.
Signatories to the letter include the Sustainable Energy Association, EDF, OVOEnergy, Kingspan and the National Insulation Association.
Jade Lewis, Chief Executive of the Sustainable Energy Association, comments: “We welcome the Government taking steps to provide the nation with greater energy security, however, the SEA believes that the strategy does not place enough emphasis on energy efficiency, which is the most effective way to provide long term security against future energy bill rises. Energy efficiency provides additional benefits like supporting the UK’s transition to Net-Zero, stimulating investment in industry and improving comfort and wellbeing. Extending the remit of the Energy Company Obligation would provide an established mechanism for delivering energy efficiency.”
Kaa Holmes, Communications Director at EDF Energy adds: “Insulating homes is the best way to cut dependence on gas and reduce heating bills. More householders need to be able to make this step. EDF fully supports ECO + to help to insulate customers from energy price increases and support the Government in achieving its net zero and energy security ambitions.”
The full letter and its signatories can be found here.
