AgilityEco supports Ofgem in ground-breaking Warm Home Discount trial for park homes

AgilityEco, a leading expert in energy efficiency and carbon reduction, has been appointed by Ofgem to offer consultancy support in developing an important trial initiative to extend the availability of the Warm Home Discount (WHD) to residents of park homes.

The Warm Home Discount (WHD), delivered by participating energy suppliers, is a key policy in the government’s programme to tackle fuel poverty and the effects of rising energy prices on low income households.  The lion’s share of the WHD is delivered as a £140 discount through eligible customers’ winter electricity bills.  As those living in park homes typically do not have a contract with any energy supplier, they have historically been excluded from receiving any WHD.  DECC sought to address this inequity through changes to the programme’s rules in early 2015, and Ofgem, the scheme administrator, has taken the lead to ensure that the opportunity to help park home residents is developed.

This trial scheme aims to deliver energy advice and offer a rebate of £140 to qualifying residents living in park homes. Drawing on AgilityEco’s extensive experience, Ofgem embarked on the creation of a park homes industry initiative, to be run by a third party delivery partner and with the support of at least one park home residents’ association.

AgilityEco was identified to have the specific expertise and ability to deliver the required consultancy support to Ofgem. Following the appointment, AgilityEco was commissioned to project-manage the design and launch of the trial scheme, which is now successfully delivered and runs through until the end of March 2016.   On successful completion of the trial, it is expected that, subject to government’s final scheme design for next year, and funding commitment from the energy suppliers, the trial will be scaled up to a full national roll-out.

AgilityEco is now working with Ofgem on a report detailing all the necessary steps to scale up the trial “Park Home Industry Initiative”. It has built a financial “value for money” case for the initiative, to demonstrate the cost effectiveness of extending the scheme to the wider park home resident community, as well as a more general report identifying the key steps involved in mobilising a group-funded Industry Initiative. 

Gearoid Lane, CEO, AgilityEco, said:

“We’re really proud to have undertaken this piece of consultancy work for Ofgem. It is a really important first step in a process to ensure that nearly 160,000 people without direct connection to the electricity grid are able to apply for the same level of WHD as those who are. Park home residents are often elderly, vulnerable to adverse weather conditions and their homes are likely to be thermally inefficient. Their heating bills are typically very high as park homes are usually heated by expensive fuels such as bottled gas and electricity. This results in a high incidence of fuel poverty amongst park home residents. £140 of WHD support, combined with energy efficiency advice, will make a big difference for many hard-pressed residents. We’re pleased to be involved in this industry initiative and that our quality energy consultancy was recognised by Ofgem.”

Notes to editors

About AgilityEco
We plan, manage, fund and deliver energy efficiency projects across the UK. Our knowledge in the energy efficiency space is unparalleled. We combine this with our strong partner network, across every aspect of funding and project delivery. This means that no project is too big or too small. Our services are designed to help businesses and public sector organisations manage rising energy bills through energy efficiency initiatives. Our flexible approach covers project design and development, accessing financing and funding, programme delivery and compliance. AgilityEco’s extensive knowledge and experience, along with our strong partner network enable us to plan, manage and source funding for energy efficiency and carbon reduction projects. We’ve built and delivered some of the largest and most successful energy efficiency programmes in the UK. 

About Ofgem
Ofgem is the independent energy regulator for Great Britain. Its priority is to make a positive difference for consumers by promoting competition in the energy markets and regulating networks.