London mayor Sadiq Khan has announced that the city will undergo a ‘retrofit revolution’. This initiative will include the establishment of a new ‘Centre of Excellence’. Worth £3.5 million, the centre will aim to help housing providers retrofit their properties. Enabling them to tackle energy inefficiency head on. Funded by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the new plan is set to boost London’s Green New Deal and create a considerable amount of green jobs.

This comes after housing providers struggled to identify schemes to successfully apply for. But the retrofitting plan will also help providers further develop their plans to allow them to join future schemes. Including the next round of the £160 million Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. By implementing the retrofitting scheme, London can increase its chances of reaching its net zero goals.

So, what is the ‘retrofit revolution’ and how is it affecting housing associations?

What is a ‘retrofit revolution’?

London’s ambitious net zero targets are set at 2030. Aiming to reach these goals two decades ahead of the UK’s national deadline makes it vital that the city puts in place strong green strategies.

The capital’s social housing is in desperate need of upgrades if the country is to reach its carbon related targets. The ‘Centre of Excellence’ is set to build on Sadiq Khan’s Retrofit Accelerator. This plan aims to transform how these spaces are retrofitted. Upgrading ageing and energy inefficient houses into warm and non-wasteful homes.

Sadiq Khan commented: “A strong economic recovery from Covid-19 and a green recovery are not mutually exclusive.”

The London mayor’s energy programmes expect to double the amount of clean energy in the city generated by solar. Also included in the mayor’s ‘retrofit revolution’ package is the new project, Solar Skills London. This scheme aims to help London residents learn more about solar technology and the important part it plays in reaching net zero. Apprenticeships focused on solar power, battery storage, electric vehicle charging and related smart technologies begin later this year.

What does this mean for housing associations?

Homes and workplaces in London are responsible for 78 per cent of the city’s carbon emissions. This indicates that almost all will need some level of retrofitting to become more sustainable.

While City Hall has not yet announced when the plans will begin. But they have confirmed the scheme will be known as the Innovation Partnership. It is estimated that a pipeline of £10 billion will be funnelled into retrofitting works. And around 150,000 green jobs will be created this decade. At least £5 billion of this budget is estimated to be used in London alone.

The scheme aims to bring social housing providers together with builders and technology installers deliver large-scale projects. As demand rises for low-carbon tech and products, costs start to reduce. Meaning housing providers can fund projects on a lower budget but still incorporate high quality products and services.

Where does Monarch come in?

Cutting emissions is vital in preserving the world around us. At Monarch, we understand the importance of future-proofing housing and organisations. Becoming more sustainable is no longer an opinion, but rather a necessity. Our team of experts are on hand to help you cut carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency and get on the path to net zero.

Understanding how you can manage your utilities efficiently can also help lower costs. Ensuring you are not being overcharged is also a challenge. We also offer a comprehensive invoice validation service, which we already provide for over 200 housing associations across 65,000 sites.

Get in touch today to find out more about how Monarch can simplify energy management and guide you towards a sustainable future.