Alongside its work providing funding to businesses to decarbonise, UK Government and EU-funded grant body LoCASE continues to support the development of businesses providing services in the retrofit sector in the South East as the region gears up for a home energy efficiency push. 

An important part of LoCASE’s (Low Carbon Across the South and East) work is to provide funding for businesses “to develop or improve their ‘green’ product/service” and to transfer learning from successful pilots in retrofit and low carbon business development. The South East Retrofit Summit, hosted by LoCASE, will build on this with Day 1 featuring presentations on retrofit roll-outs from those at the domestic retrofit coalface such as Russell Smith of Parity Projects who will summarise the lessons learned from the Retrofit Works-led Cosy Homes Oxfordshire and Warmer Sussex pilots – spoiler alert: Oxfordshire worked well while Sussex less so. 

Day 2 will look at the successful programmes that have been or are still being delivered in different counties that could be scaled up across the region with the right support. Examples will include the Solar Together model – a domestic solar PV collective buying scheme, and the ground source heat pump heat network just delivered by Kensa with Gravesham Borough Council. 

Day 3 will explore where the gaps and opportunities are for businesses in the supply chain to grow and deliver on the Government’s ambitious targets for home insulation and electrification of heating systems, and how those businesses can de-risk rapid scaling up by accessing funding, training and investment, as well as securing their order book and revenue streams through efficient and business-friendly procurement frameworks. The infrastructure procurement model from the Haven Gateway project will be discussed as an example of how to distribute major investment opportunities among local suppliers in a region with an estimated 88% of homes in need of energy efficiency measures – in Kent and Medway alone this amounts to over 680,000 properties. 

Providing event funding and decarbonisation technical expertise are partners:: Adaptavate, Ambion Heating, E.ON, Mixergy, Panasonic and Stelrad who are sponsoring the South East Retrofit Summit on 18-20 October, and the following Birmingham Summit in December 

The South East Summit will be staged online using the dynamic REMO event platform across the three mornings from 9am-12pm, enabling installers, contractors, consultants, surveyors, housing providers and local authority staff to dip in from any location to suit their schedules. Q&A sessions with a panel of the morning’s speakers and mingling with peers, speakers and sponsors at the virtual conference tables provides a golden and rare opportunity to ask questions and get personal advice from experts working in this field. 

“LoCASE has been working tirelessly for the past two year not only to fund the transition to low carbon operations for businesses but also to develop businesses in the retrofit supply chain for homes,” says XXX, LoCASE’s XXX Manager. “With our funding ending in April next year, this Summit is a timely opportunity to review our progress so far, and outline the steps needed to make all the homes in the South East more energy efficient to save homeowners money and reduce carbon emissions at scale.” 

If you are an installer or a retrofit professional looking to grow your business, or a local authority or housing provider staff member looking to deliver on a retrofit or climate change strategy, Low Carbon Homes Retrofit Summits have proven to be must-attend events which will repay your investment in time - over and over. 

To sign up to attend this free online event, go to https://lowcarbonhomes.uk/events. 

ENDS 

Notes to editors 

About Low Carbon Homes 

Domestic property energy consumption equates to 14% of UK carbon emissions.  

Low Carbon Homes exists to reduce this impact and highlight the wider social and economic benefits of retrofitting and decarbonising existing housing.  We are a nationwide market-led membership platform for professionals and suppliers to learn, share and showcase best-practice. We aim to unpack the complexities of retrofit-at-scale, reduce confusion and promote action.  

Unlike centrally-funded programmes, the agenda for Low Carbon Homes is set collaboratively by regional or industry stakeholders - connecting all involved.  

Our independent approach results in community-led retrofit action plans that support zero-carbon ambitions, reduce fuel poverty and stimulate local low-carbon economies. 

Upcoming retrofit events (all online): 

>> Suffolk Retrofit Conference - 13 October, hosted by the Suffolk Climate Change Partnership, comprising Suffolk Council with four district councils and the Environment Agency. 

>> South East Retrofit Summit – 18-20 October, hosted by LoCASE, a partnership of fourteen local Councils and two Universities. 

>> Birmingham Retrofit Summit – 06-08 December, hosted by Birmingham City Council and supporting the Three Cities Retrofit Programme (Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton). 

>> Lancashire Retrofit Conference – 13 December, hosted by Cosy Homes in Lancashire (ChiL), a partnership of all fifteen local authorities in Lancashire. 

Event information 

• Free tickets for invited professionals from across the UK 

• Event sessions are held online over single mornings for conferences and over three mornings for the summits)   

• Delegates can view all or selected sessions and meet with other delegates, speakers and sponsors 

• Registration for all events is open  at www.lowcarbonhomes.uk  

Twitter: @lowcarbonhomes 

Web: www.lowcarbonhomes.uk 

Email: hello@lowcarbonhomes.uk 

Press contact 

For quotes, further images or interviews please contact: 

Graham Lock 

tel: 07917 847552 

email: graham@lowcarbonhomes.uk