Energy savings scheme report carried out by BRE chief expected to focus on consumers

Industry is working to ensure Green Deal qualifi cations and accreditation procedures are in place to protect consumers

Peter Bonfield鈥檚 government-commissioned review into energy efficiency is set to be released by the middle of next month, 黑洞社区 can reveal.

Speaking exclusively to 黑洞社区, BRE chief executive Bonfield said his review - which he has completed - can鈥檛 be published before the local elections at the start of May but should be released before the build-up to the EU referendum.

He said: 鈥淭he work鈥檚 done and we鈥檙e ready to publish. It鈥檚 not confirmed but we hope to publish sometime in mid-May.鈥�

Bonfield declined to reveal details about the recommendations in his review but said there would be a particular focus on consumers and on getting the private sector more involved in delivering energy efficiency measures.

He said: 鈥淲hat was necessary was especially that the private sector gripped the problems, and opportunities, that are derived from putting in energy efficiency measures.

鈥淲e needed a team effort between the private and public sectors [鈥 to ensure customers are properly advised and protected.鈥�

He added that the stakeholders in the private sector have 鈥渞esponded well鈥� to his review and that he has 鈥渢aken heart from the work they鈥檝e done鈥�. But he admitted that the 鈥減roof of the pudding is how they act in the coming years鈥�.

Last December, Bonfield said his review would focus on exploring ways to increase the roll-out of smart metering, renewable energy and all types of insulation.

He also revealed his review would look at existing domestic buildings rather than new build, exploring ways to increase energy efficiency deployment in social housing, and proposals to mass retrofit housing association homes.

An insulation industry leadership group - as recommended last November by former chief construction adviser Peter Hansford - was also set up as part of the review.

The Bonfield Review was co-commissioned by energy secretary Amber Rudd and communities secretary Greg Clark last July to come up with cost-effective energy efficiency schemes that could replace the scrapped Green Deal, with an emphasis on consumer-focused ideas.

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