sustainability news / 15 Retailers coy on Green Deal

Sainsbury’s, Tesco and M&S don’t rule out Green Deal involvement, but are not on provider list

By Vern Pitt

Three of the UK’s largest retailers THE 22 PROVIDERS Green Deal have not ruled out participation providers form in the Green Deal despite their Ampere GDP names being absent from a list Anglian Home Improvements working group of 22 firms signed up to deliver BritishEco the government’s flagship British Gas A new Green Deal provider energy-efficiency scheme. CarbonLow Group group has been set up to make Major retailers Sainsbury’s, recommendations to the Marks & Spencer and Tesco, Empower Community government about how the details which have all previously been Enact Energy of the scheme should work. linked with participation in E.ON Members of the group include the scheme, were not on the Gentoo Group major contractors Carillion and list of 22 organisations, which Grafton Group , retailer B&Q, included contractors Carillion Insta Group builders’ merchants and Willmott Dixon and and Wolsey and social housing housebuilder Keepmoat. Kingfisher provider Gentoo. However, M&S and Tesco have Mark Group The group, which combines joined a new group formed to ReEnergise Finance previous provider groups working draft recommendations on the SIG plc under the UK Green Building Council details of the scheme (see story, SSE and the Green Deal Finance right), while Enact Energy, which Stroma Company, will also contain major provides insulation services for Toriga Energy retailers such as Marks & Spencer both M&S and Tesco, was Willmott Dixon Energy Services and Tesco. included on the list (see box). Yorkshire Energy Services David Adams, director of retrofit A spokesperson for M&S said at Willmott Dixon Re-Thinking, the retailer was still considering who has been setting up the its options, while a Tesco the agreement, which commits small enterprise Yorkshire group, said: “There will be a series spokesperson said: “We already the parties to work to become the Energy Services. of different work groups focusing provide home energy-efficiency first providers of the scheme. Ian Sutcliffe, chief executive of on different aspects of the services and we’re in discussion Providers of the Green Deal are Keepmoat, said: “Having already Green Deal.” with the government and our central to the scheme as they will delivered Green Deal fundable He said the group would examine supplier Enact to look at ways to broker the deals with consumers works to over 250,000 homes, how providers would need to build a expand that service.” and provide the finance we’re well placed to deliver the market and how the contracts in the Sainsbury’s said: “We are necessary to fund the energy- Green Deal with our partners.” supply chain would work. supportive of the Green Deal efficiency installations, which Sally Hancox, director at A steering group of and are working closely with consumers then pay back through Gentoo, said: “It’s vital that we representatives from 17 firms will the Department for Energy a charge on their energy bills. get the finer detail of the Green oversee the work of the subgroups. and Climate Change on the The list also included specialist Deal right in order to deliver The group will make requirements for providers.” contractor Mark Group, social warmer homes for our customers recommendations to the Kingfisher, the parent company housing developer Gentoo while simultaneously tackling fuel government in 12 weeks’ time. of retailer B&Q, was included in Group and community interest poverty and carbon reduction.” New energy efficiency body to tackle market barriers

An organisation called the Energy Efficiency David Strong, sustainability consultant and develop practical solutions to all the current Partnership for Buildings (EEPB) will be chair of the EEPB, said: “Our priority working issues of concern.” launched next week to help implement the groups will be looking at how we overcome The EEPB has been asked by the Department Green Deal and aid communication between market barriers and unlock opportunities of Energy and Climate Change to co-ordinate the government and industry. from the Green Deal and Energy Company four Green Deal advisory forums and advise on The organisation replaces the Energy Obligation [which replaces the Carbon Emissions implementing its microgeneration strategy. Efficiency Partnership for Homes, a network of Reduction Target], especially for small and The EEPB will be a subsidiary of the 1,300 individuals from 760 organisations from medium enterprises. National Energy Foundation, one of the across the energy efficiency supply chain, which “We will be organising a lot of constructive country’s longest established bodies for was established in 1999. dialogue and interaction with policy makers to energy efficiency.

BUILDING MAGAZINE 13.04.2011