BASILDON Council has been awarded £4.5 million by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, to support the decarbonisation of homes in the borough.

The funding is made up of £3.1 million from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) and £1.5 million from the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG2).

Basildon Council will add to this funding, making more than £10million available overall – providing the council with resources to retrofit up to 450 homes around the borough, reducing carbon emissions and helping to tackle climate change.

The Home Upgrade Grant funds energy efficiency upgrades and clean heating systems in low-income households, targeting the most inefficient off-gas grid heated homes in England, to tackle fuel poverty and progress towards the UK's 2050 Net Zero commitment.

The scheme allows funding per property to provide a range of energy and cost saving upgrades, depending on the specific circumstances such as the fuel source, energy efficiency and EPC rating of the home, with the most funding available for the least efficient homes heated by the most polluting fuel sources.

The SHDF funding focuses on large scale, fabric first retrofit projects of below EPC C social homes. All social housing below EPC C is eligible, including on- and off-gas grid.

Basildon Council is working with leading energy provider E.ON to coordinate and manage the works required. E.ON has extensive experience in delivering large scale energy efficiency work and have a large supply chain ready to begin work in Basildon.

 Cllr Andrew Schrader, cabinet member for housing and estate renewal, said: "The two grants are a key step towards improving our borough's most energy inefficient homes. We will target households in most need of support – helping them save money and reduce fuel poverty, while also cutting carbon and supporting the progress towards the borough's 2050 Net Zero commitment.

"This is an important chance for local residents to improve their homes, save money on their energy bills and reduce their carbon emissions."

 Chris Lovatt, Chief Operating Officer, UK Solutions at E.ON, said: "The homes we live in are among the single largest contributors to the UK's carbon footprint, with about 14% of the country's total carbon emissions coming from heating our homes. Energy efficiency is simply the best investment we can make as a country – it cuts household bills and makes homes warmer and healthier, it reduces our impact on the planet and it also helps to grow the economy by spurring the creation of new green collar jobs.

This major project with Basildon Council is one of a number of schemes up and down the country where we are helping people to take action for climate, improving the energy efficiency of homes for thousands of families, and providing long term support that cuts energy bills today and for years to come."

Basildon Council will be contacting residents who are likely to be eligible for the scheme. Further information will be available soon on the council's website.