Fears the energy efficiency and insulation sectors face a significant slowdown in demand over the next few years have been ignited once again, after Energy and Climate Change Minister Lord Bourne said a new domestic energy efficiency strategy would not be delivered until 2018. Speaking to MPs on the Energy and Climate Change Committee yesterday, Bourne reportedly revealed the government’s plans to reform the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme so that it is more focused on tackling fuel poverty would not be brought forward until 2018. He said the current ECO scheme, which provides grant funding for energy efficiency upgrades to fuel poor and hard to treat households, would come to an end as planned in 2017. He added there would then be a transitional year before an announcement on how a reformed ECO would be delivered, “likely by spring” 2018.
Business Green 20th Jan 2016 read more »