Energy industry must work with government on efficiency: CBI

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has called on the energy industry to work with government in establishing a policy framework for energy efficiency.

In a report, the group said the energy industry has an “important role to play” in incentivising consumers to consider energy efficiency measures when undertaking home improvements.

It blamed the ‘hassle factor’ – the time and effort it takes to find accurate information or appropriate finance – for a lack of consumer investment in the efficiency of their properties, and said the energy industry can “champion the range of benefits” more energy efficient homes offer.

The report also called on the government to establish a refreshed policy framework that drives and facilitates consumer demand for energy efficiency measures, as recent developments in household energy efficiency, including the Green Deal closure and ECO ending in March 2017, have caused a “policy vacuum”.

“Industry can share best practice, use a common language that is accessible to consumers and work with government to establish a policy framework that encourages confidence amongst industry and investors,” CBI said.

Lord Bourne, under-secretary of state for the Department of Energy and Climate Change, told a committee hearing earlier this year that detailed plans for a single scheme to replace the Green Deal and ECO would not be set out until 2018 and would focus on the fuel poor.

CBI business environment director, Rhian Kelly insisted “we need a clear policy framework to support businesses and homeowners to take effective action”.

“Changes to policy over the last year, including cuts to the Green Deal and the removal of zero-carbon homes standards, have had a big effect,” she said. “It’s now time for government to demonstrate it’s serious about tackling energy efficiency.”

Experts at the Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA) have called for more action on energy efficiency, as the number of Green Deals begins to tail off.