The council has been recognised as one of the best-performing local authorities at the Energy Efficiency Awards after being ‘Highly Commended’ at the ceremony (6 July 2023)...
The council was shortlisted with three other local authorities within the ‘Regional or Local Authority Body of the Year Award’ category, which rewards one exceptional council, in each of the 11 regional areas around the UK.
Watford was recognised due to its ‘Carbon Community Assistance scheme’ which has helped to improve the use of energy in buildings and reduce carbon emissions, supported householders to save energy and money, and aided the fight against fuel poverty via grant and loan schemes.
This has been made possible thanks to successful multi-million-pound bids made by the council to the Department of Energy Strategy and Net Zero and the council’s own grants and loans. The money has been used to fund over nine different schemes and make improvements to 252 homes in the town.
Properties received energy efficiency measures including cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, solar PV and more. They have helped to save 84,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide per year and are providing residents with £27,000 yearly savings on bills.
In the London Energy Efficiency Awards 2023, two Watford-based companies, Carbon Rewind and Sustain Homes, were also honoured for their exceptional work in improving energy efficiency in homes.
Carbon Rewind emerged as the winner in the Solar PV installer category, triumphing over a list of ten competitors, and Sustain Homes achieved recognition as the Boiler and Heating Contractor of the Year.
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor said: “This is wonderful news. It is clear what a real difference these improvements can make to residents’ everyday lives, so we are delighted that our work on energy-efficiency insulation projects to help people in our community who need it most has been recognised by the Energy Efficiency Awards. These schemes help cut energy bills for residents and are good for the environment too.”
Cllr Ian Stotesbury, Portfolio Holder for Transport and Sustainability said: “The energy-efficiency insulation projects are part of our local efforts to encourage and support people to cut the carbon and financial cost of heating their homes. Our team has done a fantastic job to secure grant funding and oversee the support provided to help residents heat their homes more efficiently, cut their energy bills and support the town in doing its bit to tackle climate change.”
As the world continues to tackle climate change, initiatives like improving energy-efficiency will play an increasingly important role in reducing carbon emissions and building sustainable communities. You can find out more about what the council is doing – including its target to net zero carbon town by 2030 or earlier at www.watford.gov.uk/sustainablewatford.
