Cutting the Confusion out of ECO & Green Deal - A simple guide for Local Authorities

YES Energy Solutions have a rich history of Local Authority collaborations and were amongst the first industry pioneers to work under the ECO and Green Deal framework. They are keen to share their knowledge and experience and help Local Authorities take full advantage of the energy saving opportunities from these key Government policies.

The main purpose of the Guide is to strip down all the confusing technical jargon and simply explain how ECO and Green Deal work, what each scheme is trying to achieve and how Local Authorities can get involved.

The Guide, titled – ‘What is ECO and Green Deal’, provides information on the ECO funding criteria, the full scope of the Green Deal supply chain and how initial property assessments influence how much funding is available to householders.

Andrew Herbert, Chief Executive of YES Energy Solutions hopes that the guide will not only help raise awareness, but give Local Authorities a holistic idea of how these schemes can be used to tackle the national Fuel Poverty crisis:

"Like a lot of Government policy, when you start to dig in you are suddenly confronted with reams of jargon and small print. The principles behind the policy get diluted and can soon become confusing and daunting. If you're not familiar with the industry then a white paper probably won't shed any light.

"By launching our ECO and Green Deal guide, we aim to give Local Authorities a helpful overview in language everyone will understand. These schemes are currently the only energy efficiency programmes tailored to the domestic sector. But there is still a lot of confusion around what they do and what's involved.

"We hope that by using our guide, Local Authorities will get a better understanding of what support is available and why funding rates can fluctuate. Knowledge is power - and with the right kind of advice, Local Authorities can make an informed decision about how to develop ECO and Green Deal schemes, create business partnerships and help thousands of people save energy and reduce their fuel bills."

Mark Bramah the Director of APSE Energy said “ECO and Green Deal has been a minefield for local authorities who are committed to tackling fuel poverty in their communities and improving the energy efficiency of much of their housing stock. Constant changes in policy and funding have played havoc with retrofit programmes. This guide is a timely and useful resource for local authorities who want to know how to get the best out of ECO and Green Deal in the future”.

Printed copies of the guide will be distributed free of charge to Local Authorities through APSE. An electronic version is available to download from this link.

Notes to Editor:

About YES Energy Solutions?

YES Energy Solutions is an award winning energy efficiency company with a strong social purpose. Everything we do centres on reducing CO2 and alleviating fuel poverty. We are part of a Community Interest Company, which means that our assets are locked and any profit generated is reinvested into our social objectives. With no shareholders to satisfy, we invest our money into initiatives that revitalise communities, boost local economies and support the energy efficiency needs of thousands of low income and vulnerable householders.

YES Energy Solutions were amongst the first Government approved Green Deal Providers. They have since managed extensive ECO contracts in partnership with major Energy Companies, as well as delivering Green Deal Demonstrator programmes on behalf of Kirklees, Calderdale and Leeds City Councils. Being part of a Community Interest Company enables YES Energy Solutions to reinvest their profits directly into their social mission - to reduce CO2 and alleviate Fuel Poverty.

Yes Energy Solutions works with Local Authorities to help develop and deliver targeted carbon saving initiatives that fight fuel poverty and tackle Climate Change. We have managed some of the most influential council backed energy efficiency schemes in the country including: Insulate Hampshire, Wrap Up Leeds and Kirklees Warm Zone. We became a Green Deal Provider in 2013 and work closely with major Energy Companies to help them achieve their energy saving targets through the delivery of extensive ECO contracts.

If you represent a Local Authority that is keen to save energy and reduce fuel poverty in your area, then get in touch to find out how we can help exceed your environmental and social objectives.

T:       01422 880104
E:       [email protected]
W:       www.yesenergysolutions.co.uk

About APSE Energy?

The Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) is a not-for-profit membership based organisation dedicated to promoting excellence in the delivery of frontline services to local communities. We work with more than 300 Local Authorities across the UK.

APSE Energy is a division of APSE which involves a group of pioneering Local Authorities who are looking to work in collaboration to forward the following vision:

‘To form an effective collaboration of a large number of Local Authorities to enable and facilitate the local municipalisation of energy services. By this we mean the public and community, as well as private,  ownership and managerial control of local energy generation, distribution networks and delivery of energy efficiency works. Local Authorities working together in this way would have great influence and would be able to deliver economies of scale in green energy to promote economic growth and combat fuel poverty.’

The goal of this collaboration is to deliver the local municipalisation of energy services and in doing so:

• Address social objectives and deliver community benefits, such as a reduction in fuel poverty and increases in jobs and skills.
• Save money and make money for Local Authorities to safeguard local services.

Contacts: For APSE press enquiries please contact Mo Baines, APSE Head of Communication and Coordination on [email protected] or telephone 0161 772 1810. To contact APSE Energy please email Mark Bramah, Director of APSE Energy on [email protected] . For Yes Energy press enquiries please contact Alex Krzesinski email [email protected] or telephone 01422 880104.

E:[email protected]  W: www.apse.org.uk