Over 50 Tier 1 contractors, energy providers and specialists were in attendance at the National Home Decarbonisation Group’s inaugural meeting
Senior representatives from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) were also in attendance at the first meeting of the National Home Decarbonisation Group (NHDG).
The department’s director for net zero buildings, Selvin Brown, spoke to members about the progress made so far, the scale of the remaining challenge and the upcoming government commitment to decarbonise the social and private housing sectors.
The NHDG aims to drive energy efficiency across the UK’s housing stock, through low carbon technologies, high quality energy efficiency measures and developing green skills and training across current and future workforces.
The inaugural meeting was a promising start
Derek Horrocks, chair of the NHDG, said: “Since our initial launch just last month, momentum has been building with more Tier 1 contractors committing their membership and the ongoing development of our operations.
“The inaugural meeting marked the first time all members gathered in one place, and we’ve got there very quickly from a standing start, bringing together big-name businesses that need no introduction. The meeting couldn’t have been more positive, and it’s been really heartening to see every single organisation represented and contributing.
“Supply chain capabilities, funding, and developing the skills needed for the retrofit revolution were all key talking points throughout the day – as was how we can attract new talent into the industry too. The day has been full of passion from everyone involved to really sustain collaboration to meet key targets, such as the need for 200,000 more competent retrofitters by 2030.”
The NHDG is already taking action across the UK
The NHDG’s members are already delivering large-scale PAS:2035-compliant installations funded by various government schemes, including the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) and Home Upgrade Grant (HUG). Gemserv acts as the group’s secretariat.
“With the majority of large-scale domestic retrofit work in the UK set to be carried out by NHDG members over the coming years, we have an important responsibility,” Horrocks continued. “Together we must lead the change and develop a robust supply chain capable of delivering government goals and more. Long-term commitments are in place for the decarbonisation of 26m UK homes to meet net zero, backed by more than £12bn pledged by this and the next parliament.
“The time is now – and together we have the ambition, resource and drive to push forward, with the opportunity to improve the lives of thousands of people up and down the country currently facing some of the biggest energy and climate crises of our time.”
Enlisted contractors include Morgan Sindall Property Services
Morgan Sindall Property Services director, Paul Reader, said: “Collaboration and a commitment to upskilling are crucial to ensuring we can deliver the scale and breadth of work required to decarbonise homes and support residents through the transition.
“Positive engagement with policy and change-makers will play a key role in that if the country is to successfully deliver carbon net zero targets by 2050.”
You can read more about the National Housing Decarbonisation Groups’ objectives here.
