Cobalt Commits £2.7m to improve energy efficiency of North Liverpool homes

Last week, the Government’s Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (ESNZ), announced that the Liverpool City Region’s bid for monies from the latest wave of funding from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund had been successful in securing £31.7m - as well as £10.35m from the second round of the Home Upgrade Grant scheme - taking the region’s total retrofit investment to £105m.

Cobalt Housing worked in partnership with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) in its bid, and is one of a number of housing associations in the Liverpool City Region who have received a share of the £31.7m funding.

Cobalt’s £2.7m investment will improve the energy efficiency of 287 properties which currently have an energy performance certificate (EPC) rated below SAP Band C. They will be delivering works including cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, ventilation, solar PV panels, low energy lightbulbs and HomeLINK digital sensory technology.

The energy measures installed as part of the programme will also improve the thermal comfort, improving affordable warmth for tenants and reducing carbon emissions from Cobalt’s properties.

Delivery of this decarbonisation work will align with Cobalt’s capital investment programme, which will see these homes benefit from additional works including electrical rewiring and kitchen replacements to further enhance the impact of works and investment in our homes.

Dave Woods, director of operations said: “We’re delighted to have secured this funding, which will support us to improve the energy efficiency of 287 homes. We are at the early stages of our sustainability journey, and by 2030 all our homes will achieve an EPC C rating, helping to reduce carbon emissions and our tenants’ energy bills.

“These works complement the wider investment we will be making in our existing homes, in which we plan to spend £110m over the next ten years.”

Cobalt Housing is now working to mobilise delivery of the programme with the projects due to start on site from Summer 2023 and completion by March 2025.

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily