First CESP (Community Energy Saving Programme) project to start on site gets underway
 
Work has started to improve the energy efficiency of a multi-storey block in Bristol, believed to be the first project to start on site under the UK Government’s Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP).*
 
The project partners include carbon reduction company Sustain, which is managing the CESP delivery, Bristol City Council and EDF Energy, which are promoting and funding the energy saving measures and building company Rok, which is carrying out the refurbishment.
 
CESP is a Government initiative that runs from September 2009 to December 2012, which puts an obligation on energy generators and suppliers to fund energy saving measures in homes in low income areas.
 
The energy efficiency improvements are part of a refurbishment programme for Rawnsley House – a block of 131 flats in Easton. The works include external cladding and roof and window replacement. The improvements will help residents reduce their fuel bills and cut carbon emissions.
 
Simon Gait, director at Sustain, said: “We enjoy working with clients who want to be at the leading edge of carbon reduction.  We piloted some of the earliest schemes with clients under the Energy Efficiency Commitment (EEC) and the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) and we have worked hard to come up with innovative schemes for CESP. 
 
“We believe that this is the first project under CESP to get off the ground since the scheme came into force in September 2009 and we are excited to be getting started.”
 
It is expected that CESP will benefit around 90,000 households in the period to December 2012.
 
The programme will encourage a whole house approach to improving the energy efficiency of the UK’s existing housing stock with innovative measures like solid wall insulation, fuel switching and low carbon technologies.
 
Angus Wilby, head of energy efficiency at EDF Energy, said: “As the UK’s largest producer of low-carbon electricity, EDF Energy will contribute around £65m to CESP over the life of the programme.
 
“We will continue to make significant contributions towards improving the energy efficiency of low income households, which reflects our commitment to helping our most vulnerable customers reduce their energy bills.
 
“EDF Energy has worked with Sustain for many years and they have consistently brought innovative approaches to carbon reduction. We look forward to an equally productive and successful relationship under this new scheme.”
 
Councillor Mark Wright, Cabinet Member for Housing and Service Improvement, said: "This programme will directly benefit residents by reducing the cost of energy bills, helping people, many of whom are on low incomes, to stay warm for less”.
 
"The scheme is a good example of the council's trailblazing approach to reducing our carbon footprint, an approach which has seen the city win national recognition for its commitment to the green agenda."
 
Rok project manager, John Maratty, said: “Rok is a great advocate of programmes that reduce energy use in existing properties so our local Bristol team is extremely proud to be playing a key role in ensuring the expectations of the City Council and the residents are met on this pioneering project.”
 
Sustain is a leader in carbon reduction, with a track record of delivering results within key industries including energy supply, construction, the public sector and the built environment.

* The partners believe that this is the first project under CESP to start on site.