New national body and DECC to pool Green Deal expertise

Replacing the Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homes network, which was set up in 1999, the new Energy Efficiency Partnership for Buildings (EEPB) body aims to bring together a network of potential Green Deal providers, financiers, and product and service suppliers.

The partnership will act as a forum to represent industry’s views on the Green Deal, ECO and energy efficiency opportunities in the UK, as well as facilitate closer working between business, government and community organisations on energy efficiency in buildings.

In particular, the body said that it will be working to “overcome” market barriers and “unlock” opportunities for small and medium sized businesses by working with policy makers.

The EEPB was set up as a subsidiary to the energy efficiency charity the National Energy Foundation and has received backing from founding members, including npower, Strutt & Parker, Centrica, Kingfisher, Enact and Knauf Insulation.

EEPB chairman Dr David Strong, said: “The creation of the EEPB comes at a very significant time. Organisations across all parts of industry, all parts of the product and delivery sectors, and all parts of the private and public sector are seeking to collaborate and find answers to how we make the most of the new energy efficiency policies coming through from Government.”

The EEPB plans to work with DECC to continue facilitating and coordinating the four Green Deal advisory forums, as well as advising it on the implementation of the Government’s Microgeneration Strategy.

Carys Matthews