WIREDGOV

Natural Resources Minister Carl Sargeant has written to the UK’s “big six” energy firms, along with the Co-operative Energy and First Utility, asking them to meet with him to discuss how they can work more effectively with the Welsh Government to tackle fuel poverty.

Around 30% of all households in Wales are in fuel poverty. Between 2013 to 2016 the Welsh Government is making an additional £80million of funding available to support low income households and leverage investment from the energy company obligation (ECO).

ECO places legal obligations on the larger energy suppliers to deliver energy efficiency measures to domestic energy users.

Carl Sargeant wants to ensure a more joined up approach from the energy companies to use ECO in a way that supports schemes in delivering the Welsh Government’s objectives of tackling poverty, tackling climate change and growth and jobs.

Carl Sargeant said:

"In Wales we have been successful in delivering multiple benefits through our energy efficiency programmes, such as Arbed, including jobs, wider community benefits, training and advice for residents.

“The Arbed 2 programme is delivering an estimated return to the Welsh economy of £2 for every £1 invested. We are achieving this saving through the creation of apprenticeships, through supplier partnerships in the shared apprentice scheme, and through collaboration across the whole supply chain.

“Our additional investment for the next financial year is £35million.  I want the energy companies to see how effective our approach in Wales is and discuss how working together we can maximise the amount of ECO that they invest in these schemes in Wales.”