On the 11th June, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) set out secondary legislation that will give industry the green light to bring the Green Deal energy efficiency market into operation, alongside measures to strengthen consumer protection, reduce industry burdens, and implement the Energy Company Obligation (ECO).
DECC is confident that Green Deal programme will help bill payers make energy-saving improvements to keep their homes warm and more energy efficient. With the Green Deal, people will be able to pay for some or all of the work done with the savings expected to be made on energy bills. ECO, a subsidy from energy suppliers, will provide extra help for those most in need and for properties that are harder to treat.
These policies are expected to boost the burgeoning low carbon economy by supporting jobs in the industry and empower consumers by giving them new ways of funding home improvements and empower businesses by enabling them to compete for energy efficiency opportunities in new and innovative ways.
Energy Secretary and Climate Change Secretary Edward Davey said:
“The Government’s detailed plans along with legislation will allow the industry to bring the Green Deal into existence. The Green Deal will play a huge role in improving the energy efficiency of our homes and businesses, with ECO making sure that the most vulnerable homes benefit too.”
Nigel Rees, GGF Group Chief Executive commented:
“Though we are pleased to see the Secondary Legislation being released we still have reservations as to how it will fully impact upon the Glass and Glazing Industry and in particular GGF members.”
The GGF and the broader construction industry, consumer groups, and other organisations contributed to the response to the Government’s November Consultation on Green deal and ECO earlier this year. The Consultation considered more than 600 responses and full details and changes made are set out in the final policy response document published on DECC’s website.
It was also announced that the Green Deal process will start with assessors, installers and Green Deal Providers to ensure they are ready to start work in October. From August this year accredited certification bodies such as FENSA can submit applications to register with the Green Deal Registration and Oversight Body, and will then be able to register assessors and installers as ‘Green Deal Approved’. Similarly, potential Green Deal Providers will also be able to apply for approval.
Nigel Rees added, “Green Deal and ECO continues to be complex and still there are many unanswered questions. The GGF will go through the fine detail of the Secondary Legislation and related documents and monitor developments to keep our Members fully informed of how it could impact upon their businesses. “
