A recent article by the BBC has received a lot of attention for its portrayal of how difficult it can be to improve the efficiency of homes. It is clearly a crucial issue for the UK, which has one of the oldest and leakiest housing stocks in western Europe. The UK Green Building Council estimates that nearly all of the country’s 29m homes will need to be retrofitted in order to reach the government’s target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The BBC’s technology reporter, Chris Baraniuk, interviewed two people about their experiences of trying to find ways to curb heat loss in their homes and reduce their energy bills. They both emphasised the high costs and lack of reliable, independent advice.
It is a rather bleak – yet accurate – assessment, but we think the community energy sector offers grounds for optimism. Community energy projects – typically solar, wind or retrofit schemes designed and owned locally – are reliable, cost-effective and appropriate. That reflects a deep understanding among local climate and energy groups of the specific challenges in their areas and an awareness of opportunities for funding through local authorities and elsewhere.
They also know the most reliable contractors and suppliers for retrofitting – and can provide tailored advice that is often missed by consultants specialising in “ultra-energy efficient buildings”.
With the support of organisations like Community Energy South (CES), there are real opportunities to scale up projects across neighbourhoods and develop parish energy plans. We are convinced that community energy must be a cornerstone of any plan to tackle the thorny issue of making the UK’s homes warmer, more comfortable, affordable – and ultimately no longer reliant on fossil fuels.