Billions of pounds are dedicated to existing energy schemes which are constantly being monitored and evaluated. In line with these evaluations, the government has announced large injections of funding into the most successful of these schemes. The government’s recent announcement confirms that they have committed to spend £12.6 billion by 2028.
What Will The Funding Achieve?
The ultimate goal is to improve the energy efficiency of the UK’s domestic and commercial buildings. Energy efficiency measures make this possible. These measures could include:
- Installing or upgrading insulation
- Upgrading the heating system (switching from a boiler to a heat pump)
- Switching to low energy lighting
Often, the high cost of these changes means that homeowners are not able to fund the changes by themselves. Thus, the government has implemented various financial systems to help people afford these upgrades.
Also, there are other challenges to be met. For instance, if millions of homes need energy upgrades, then we need millions of new products to install. This leads to schemes such as the Heat Pump Investment Accelerator, which was designed to boost the production of heat pumps to meet growing demand.
The £6 Billion Pledge
As we hurtle towards the 2050 Net Zero benchmark, these nationwide improvements cannot slow down. The government has recognised this, and to reach our ambitious Net Zero targets, they have pledged an additional £6 billion of funding into the following schemes.
What will this funding achieve?
This additional funding will affect over 1 million homes across the country. Specifically, it will target 200,000 low-income, cold and social homes – these houses are in some of the most dire need of assistance. The funding will make improvements (such as insulation and heat pumps) available for these houses. These upgrades will help craft a future where all of the UK’s houses have a good energy-efficiency rating – making them cheaper to run, and kinder to the planet.
Good for the UK
Both the country and the homeowner benefit from these improvements. Homeowners will enjoy houses which are cheaper to run, helping countless families stay warm through each cold winter. As for the UK as a whole, the move to greener living helps protect the country from issues relating to fuel insecurity, as we saw with the conflicts earlier this year. This is a major concern for many, and the more fuel-efficient we can be, the better protected the nation will be.
Good for the Planet
Also, it lines up with the sentiments expressed at COP28, supporting a greener and more sustainable future for every member of the UN. By implementing these various schemes, the UK moves toward a greener future, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels which are generally expected to be phased out as time goes on. This will help create a more sustainable world for future generations.
This announcement underlines the government’s commitment to energy efficiency in the UK, bolstering the retrofit industry across the country.
A Career In Retrofit
More funding means more workforce will be needed. Over the coming years, thousands of retrofit professionals will take the lead in implementing these energy upgrades. If you would like to be one of these individuals, then please consider qualifying in Retrofit. Whether you have prior experience or not, there are various levels at which you can get involved.
There has never been a better time to get qualified. Energy Trust has successfully secured funding through the Home Decarbonisation Skills Training Competition — a government funding programme aimed at training individuals in the energy efficiency and retrofit industry. This means that you can receive a substantial discount on our qualifications over the next few months. Please click the link below to learn more about our funded training courses to see if they work for you. Book your space online or call us at 0333 012 0002.
