£3.5b invested in energy efficiency improvements

The Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) has released details of new steps to help householders save energy.

The DECC has announced a 20% increase in the Government’s Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) scheme and the introduction of a new Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP). These new investments will take the total invested in energy efficiency improvements to an estimated £3.5 billion by the end of 2012.

It is hoped that the new measures will help the country meet the carbon targets set out under the Climate Change Act, as well tackling the long running issue of fuel poverty which makes winter a misery for many UK householders .

In addition to the increase in carbon emissions reduction target, other changes to the CERT scheme include the provision of Home Energy Advice, where experts will visit householders and assess energy efficiency to help them reduce energy consumption and cut their fuel bills. Further, an estimated 60% of the total funding available under the enhanced scheme will go to low-income and elderly householders, who will receive free or substantially discounted energy saving improvements such as insulation

Meanwhile, the new Community Energy Saving Programme will launch up to 100 community schemes reaching 90,000 homes to deliver savings of nearly 2.9m tonnes of CO2 by December 2012. This should translate to savings of about £330 per year on the energy bills of householders who receive help.

Minister of State in the Department of Energy and Climate Change, Joan Ruddock said,

“Home energy efficiency has never been so important in achieving our long term goals on climate change and to making a real difference to householder’s energy bills. Today’s announcement delivers a major part of the Prime Minister’s Home Energy Savings Programme that ensures people can save money and save energy, as well as reducing emissions.”

“Community-level solutions are the key to fighting climate change and the roll-out of CESP later this year will teach us valuable lessons in how to provide help to every home in every street. By providing the tools for change we are empowering the British people to play their role in tackling climate change.”