Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has plans to reduce the potential cost of energy efficiency schemes to off-gas-grid households in rural areas.
Since 1 April 2017, the Carbon Savings Community Obligation is no longer part of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO). However, we introduced a rural safeguard of 15% in the Carbon Emissions Reduction Obligation (CERO) of the current ECO scheme. In addition, the scoring mechanism under ECO is such that it incentivises delivery of measures in properties off the gas grid. Early next year we intend to consult on proposals for the future Energy Company Obligation which are expected to run from October 2018 to March 2022. The consultation will include proposals on rural delivery and on moving to a 100% focus on vulnerable and low income households.