Regional retrofit projects
WMCA Energy Capital retrofit update
-
The SMART Hub (Sustainable Market for Affordable Retrofit Technologies) has been set up by the WMCA in 2021, as part of its investment to deliver its net zero targets. The team has already led the region in attracting more than £10m of funding for retrofit projects and has supported partners in additional bids of more than £14m.
-
The WMCA’s Energy Capital team, as part of a consortium including Sandwell Council, Solihull Community Housing, City of Wolverhampton Council, Community Housing Group, Midland Heart, Orbit Housing Group, and Wrekin Housing Group, had successfully secured £7.5m from the government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. This will be used to retrofit 600 social homes across the region, including the installation of low carbon heating systems and solar panels.
-
The Sustainable Warmth Competition programme has also now launched in Elmdon, Solihull, and Foleshill in Coventry, following the award of £2.86m from funding secured by WMCA from central government. The WMCA, local authorities, Act on Energy and other partners have been engaging with residents in the two areas to take up the offer of support to retrofit their homes with a range of environmental solutions – from installing insulation to solar PV to low carbon heat pumps.
What support and schemes are available to target the very lowest households for retrofitting?
- Act on Energy support vulnerable households with energy advice and guide them through the retrofit process. Energy assessors at the charity, visit householders to talk through what they need to do to their home. Also support councils to deliver Local Authority Delivery Scheme (LADS2), Green Homes Grant and the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.
- Civic Square are working with residents on Link Road, Ladywood to work through the practicalities and benefits of retrofitting their homes and how to apply for grants and funding.
- Phil Beardmore from Energy Confidence is currently working with Footsteps to help develop energy saving strategies for faith groups in Birmingham.
How can we encourage a more collective approach to retrofit by a street-by-street approach rather than single homes?
- The WMCA’s Net Zero Neighbourhood Demonstrator is a region-wide programme where homes are retrofitted with insulation and green heating on a street-by-street basis, alongside other low carbon infrastructure such as on-street electric vehicle charging points. The aim is to secure more funding to build a series on these demonstrators across the region.
- The WMCA are currently developing a Trailblazer Devolution ask to negotiate with government, which will redefine the powers of the WMCA across the region. Net Zero is a key part of the ask, and funding for retrofit work will be part of the devolution deal to fund whole neighbourhood projects rather than through single measures. There are also asks to work towards creating an organisation that can support end-to-end customer journey support through retrofitting.
Need a zero-carbon mandate for all new builds to be introduced
- The WMCA do have a Zero Carbon Homes Charter which is aimed at developers, housebuilders and other stakeholders involved in delivering housing within the region. The Routemap is an action plan setting out how we will achieve the principles set within the Charter. However more work is needed to create a mandate.
How do we address the skills gap within retrofit technology and installation?
-
University College Union (UCU) retired members group raised the important point that there needs to be more education courses within further and higher education to upskill the workforce. Points were raised on if there is already demand for these services, how to encourage suppliers to undertake the training could be difficult. WMCA devolution ask is for a long-term funding structure to not rush people through training which can lead to poor outcomes. University College Birmingham have a retrofit and low carbon modules being built into their construction courses. Other examples include Futureproof Essentials in Bristol and CarbonLite Retrofit course in Scotland.
-
Issues were raised on the ability to find impartial advice on supporting householders through the retrofit journey. Also, problems with finding a supplier/installer due to issues with the supply chain and long wait times, plus soaring costs for materials. Civic Square shared their experiences of engaging people with retrofit through being present in everyday conversations and activities. They attended Jubilee celebration street parties to speak with community members and found that whilst some became involved due to climate change, saving money and because it’s a good thing to do, many joined because it seemed like a fun project to be involved in as they can shape their neighbourhood.