Quarter three summary - February 2007

Quantitative evaluation results have now been published for the first full year of the pilot, 2005-06 and the first Quarter of 2006-07.  The impact assessment has revealed that the overall carbon savings of the pilot exceeded the target for 2005/06 by 50%, whilst carbon savings per customer exceeded the pilot target by 17%.  Results have also that in the first quarter of 2006-07 there are increased carbon savings for direct customer contact, which is largely attributable to the increase in customer numbers.  Circumstantial evidence suggests that the sustainable energy centres who engage with fewer customers achieve increased per customer savings than the sustainable energy centres that have engaged with higher customers numbers.  Overall however, there has been an increase in cost effectiveness of close to three times since 2005-06.

Operation of the pilot - some key highlights.
The Anglia centre secured some good coverage with Anglia TV in December, reporting energy efficiency messages.  Developmental work is continuing on the Renewable energy planning tool and partnership work is being carried out with Suffolk County Council, Kings Lynn Council and Norfolk Council to influence planning guidance using the tool.

The North East centre has made good strategic links with the regional housing board and is due to present to them along with the regional assembly and regional climate officer.  The aim is to encourage the inclusion of the sustainable energy centre activity in the housing strategy review and consultation.  There has been good feedback from the National Insulation Association regarding the North East Homes Insulation Partnership in which the centre was instrumental.