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The recent budget announcement that the Energy Company Obligation scheme will not be renewed next year means the government’s delayed Warm Homes Plan must be published in early 2026, insulation specialist Actis says.
The Energy Company Obligation scheme, a government initiative which sees utility companies obliged to reinvest some of their profits into energy efficiency measures, was due to end on March 31 2026, but a similar scheme has yet to be set up to replace it under the Warm Homes Plan.
While the money saved by not renewing the Energy Company Obligation scheme will instead be used to help reduce fuel bills and thus offer immediate financial help, it is vital to tackle the root of the problem to provide a long-term solution to unnecessary energy use, says Actis UK and Ireland sales director Mark Cooper.
“The reduction in energy bills is to be welcomed, but the announcement that the current ECO4 will not be replaced when it expires at the end of March means it’s important to come up with an alternative before we reach the cut-off date. We hope the Warm Homes Plan, when it is published, will offer more fabric first options to help householders save money while also protecting the environment via fabric first measures.”
