Monday 3 September 2012

DECC consults on ‘in-use’ factors for ECO

DECC has released a consultation on implementing “in-use” factors in the ECO scheme.

The Energy Company Obligation is a subsidy paid to energy companies for putting in measures to help the vulnerable and fuel poor by heating and insulating their homes.

The “in-use” factors are applied to the performance of different insulation measures, which is used when scoring the reduction of carbon emissions from ECO measures. The Government said it would be unlikely to deliver carbon savings and assist low-income households without implementing the factors in the scheme.

A spokesperson from DECC told ELN: “We are determined to ensure that the ECO delivers and provides extra help for those most in need and for properties that are harder to treat. That is why we are launching this consultation and making the necessary revisions to the Order now.”

The scheme is expected to generate around 84 metric tonnes of non-traded, lifetime carbon savings and support around 230,000 low-income households every year.

A draft ECO Order will be laid before Parliament following the consultation process, which if approved will come into force at the end of the year.