The latest figures from the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) have revealed that over 9,200 Green Deal assessments have been carried out in properties across the UK and £68.9 million worth of contracts have been let through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) brokerage system.
The figures indicate that there is rising demand for energy efficiency measures since the launch of the Green Deal and ECO at the end of January. Minister of State for Climate Change Greg Barker said that the latest statistics indicate a “promising start for the Green Deal” with “genuine interest from consumers”.
The construction industry has a key role to play in greening the UK economy and CITB has urged SMEs to act now and qualify their workforce to ensure that the demand for energy efficiency measures can be met. Over 830 installers are now registered with the Green Deal oversight and registration body enabling them to carry out projects under the Green Deal.
Being Green Deal certified also opens up other business opportunities as the recognised certification standard PAS 2030 is expected to apply to future low carbon work under the
implementation of building information modelling (BIM), new nuclear projects and the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).
The figures from DECC also show that £26.9m of contracts for work under ECO, the Green Deal’s sister scheme, have been let in the first two months of 2013.
Social housing landlords have invested significantly in improving insulation as John Barnham, head of sustainable investment at Orbit Heart of England, said: “We’re looking to contractors to come up with some ideas as to how we might best install insulated render systems. My main
concern is that, while CESP schemes comply with building regs,I don’t believe 65mm is enough insulation to ensure that we won’t have to go back at some future point and add additional insulation. We’re focused on improving the energy performance of F and G grade homes and we’ve established a performance spec and are now approaching contractors to suggest the most appropriate solution. What’s key is that the supply chain understands what we’re trying to achieve.”
