Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP)
Background
CESP targets households across Great Britain, in areas of low income, to improve energy efficiency standards, and reduce fuel bills. There are 4,500 areas eligible for CESP. CESP is funded by an obligation on energy suppliers and electricity generators. It is expected to deliver up to £350m of efficiency measures. A list of eligible areas is contained in the Communities: areas of low income document.
CESP promotes a “whole house” approach i.e. a package of energy efficiency measures best suited to the individual property. The programme is delivered through the development of community-based partnerships between Local Authorities (LAs), community groups and energy companies, via a house-by-house, street-by-street approach. This partnership working allows CESP to be implemented in a way that is best suited to individual areas and coordinated with other local and national initiatives. Around 100 schemes are expected, benefiting around 90,000 homes and saving nearly 2.9m tonnes of CO2 emissions. CESP is expected to deliver annual average fuel bill savings for those households involved of up to £300.
Recent developments
CESP commenced on 1 September 2009 and British Gas launched the first 'live' CESP scheme in Walsall in January 2010. As of 30 April 2010 there were 6 live CESP schemes.
For further information contact: steve.ives@decc.gsi.gov.uk