The number of energy efficiency measures being installed under a Government programme has almost halved in the past year, figures show.
Some 202,050 measures, ranging from loft and cavity wall insulation to new windows and boilers, were installed under the “Eco” scheme in 2017, 44% lower than the 359,611 installed in 2016.
The Eco scheme, which is paid for through consumer bills, requires larger energy companies to install insulation and heating measures to reduce energy use and heating costs, focusing on helping people at risk of fuel poverty.
Campaigners warned that the “crash” in the delivery of energy efficiency measures comes at the end of a cold winter when thousands have died from living in freezing homes and the country faced a gas security crunch.
The Government’s advisory Committee on Climate Change has also called for more action on home energy efficiency to cut carbon emissions, warning progress on installing measures such as insulation had stalled.
Ed Matthew, associate director at climate change think tank E3G, said: “This crash in the delivery of energy efficiency measures comes at the end of one of the coldest winters in living memory.
“Thousands have died from living in freezing homes and the country has faced a gas security crunch.
But he said: “Energy efficiency is the most cost-effective way to lower energy bills, de-carbonise our energy system and deliver energy security.
“We can easily cut energy demand in homes by 25%, which would save households on average £270 every year on their energy bills.
“Across the UK, this would be equivalent to saving the energy output of six nuclear power stations the size of Hinkley Point C and would bring a net benefit to the economy of £7.5 billion. ”
The Government has set a target to get all homes up to Band C on an Energy Performance Certificate by 2035 where practical, cost-effective and affordable.
But to meet it, public investment in energy efficiency “must at least double”, Mr Matthew said.
He urged: “The UK must follow Scotland’s lead and make energy efficiency an infrastructure priority, backed by the public capital funds.
“No other infrastructure investment would do so much for so many”.
