The energy department has created a new office to develop an economy-wide strategy to improve energy efficiency
The new Energy Efficiency Deployment Office (EEDO) brings together 50 civil servants from across DECC to provide the government with expert advice on energy efficiency.
The EEDO is tasked with supporting existing energy efficiency policies, including the Green Deal and the rollout of smart meters, as well as developing a broad UK strategy to tackle energy wasted across both domestic and commercial sectors.
Launching the EEDO, newly appointed energy secretary Ed Davey said it confirmed that improving energy use was central to government’s plans to lower emissions and combat climate change.
“Energy efficiency is the cheapest way of cutting carbon – and cutting bills for consumer. It has to be right at the heart of what we do,” he said.
“The EEDO will be a centre of expertise, challenging our work and making energy efficiency real and relevant to people’s everyday lives… We need to get out there and show people what energy efficiency can really do for them.”
While Davey’s comments focused on the massive financial and carbon savings that could be made by improving the UK’s inefficient housing stock, the EEDO will also be examining potential efficiency measures for non-domestic buildings, industry, electricity generation, the service sector and transport.
Alongside the official launch of the EEDO, DECC has opened a consultation calling for evidence on where energy-efficiency gains can be made, the existing barriers to individuals and organisations embracing greater energy efficiency and what can be done to tackle them.
The consultation closes on 4 April and the UK energy efficiency strategy will be published by the end of the year.
