Thurrock Energy Partnership
East England

PROJECT TEAM & PARTNERS

The Climate Energy Ltd in partnership with Thurrock Council have endorsed the Affordable Energy Insulation and this operates in Thurrock under the name "Thurrock Energy Partnership".

CONTRACT VALUE
£610,000

FUNDING
£152,500 CRET funding
£457,500 Thurrock Council

TIMESCALE
Commenced 2004- ongoing

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT

This partnership was established to actively promote energy efficiency initiatives in Thurrock, and increase the take up of energy efficiency insulation and heating measures. The partnership would manage a programme that could offer all residents a full range of energy efficiency discount and grant schemes.

Measures Available

• Cavity Wall Insulation
• Loft Insulation, which includes hot water tank and pipe insulation
• First Time Central Heating
• Boiler replacement
• Draught Proofing is also allowed should the applicant have any of the above measures

Schemes:

• Landlords Scheme
• Homebuyers Scheme
• Thurrock Energy Insulation

Beneficiaries:

• In receipt of an income related benefit and not eligible for Warm Front.
• State pension must be 50% or more of their household income
  OR they spend 10% or more of their disposable income on fuel (Fuel Poverty Means Test)
• To receive a replacement boiler the boiler must be over 15 years old

Energy Related Results:

1. To seek cost effective solutions and opportunities to significantly improve the energy efficiency of resident's home.
2. Through a series of road shows and awareness raising events over 5000 Thurrock residents have been given energy advice and in excess of 10,000 low energy lamps have been distributed.
3. The scheme helps all residents, but the principal focus is on vulnerable clients, who have been assessed as being 'fuel poor'. Over 769 households have increased the energy efficiency rating of their home. The partnership has administered 769 grants in worth of energy efficiency improvements to Thurrock homes and saved over 641 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide.

PROJECT TARGETS & LEGISLATION

1. To seek cost effective solutions and opportunities to significantly improve the energy efficiency of resident's home.
2. Through a series of road shows and awareness raising events over 5000 Thurrock residents have been given energy advice and in excess of 10,000 low energy lamps have been distributed.
3. Over 769 households have increased the energy efficiency rating of their home.
4. The partnership has administered 769 grants in worth of energy efficiency improvements to Thurrock homes and saved over 641 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide.

The partnership would work towards meeting Government Home Energy and Fuel Poverty targets. Thurrock has set up a fuel poverty test so not only those residents who are on income related benefit, but also those residents who have been assessed as spending 10% or more of their disposable income on fuel costs.

CHALLENGES FACED

There was some concerns regarding the repair and health issues which were not part of schemes but in close working relationship with the approved contractors and the private housing and adaptation team, the 'repair/health' issues have been highlighted. Then, Team have helped the clients further with loans and adaptation works. The comfort and well being of the clients has increased with each installation, and our customer satisfaction surveys evidence this, with over 50% of clients detailing that they believe their 'well being' has increased since the works are complete. The real evidence is demonstrated from letters and comments received.

LESSONS LEARNT & APPLICABILITY IN OTHER SITUATIONS

As can be seen from the above, The Thurrock Energy Partnership has made giant strides in the recent past in raising awareness of the importance of energy conservation and energy measures to residents. Setting an example with innovative low cost schemes, as well as directing resources to positive steps forward in this field.

CONTACT DETAILS

Ms Shahla Azirani
European Projects Development Manager
Climate Energy Ltd, Countrywide House, Freebournes Road, Witham, Essex, CM8 3UN
www.climateenergy.org.uk
Shahla.azirani@climateenergy.org.uk
Tel: 00 44 (0) 7894587215

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