British Gas has partnered with NatWest, Places for People, Sero, and Tallarna in a consortium focused on transforming the retrofitting of social housing.

The trial, which will be desktop piloted on 1,000 homes owned by Places for People, will see a new financial model look to quantify the environmental, financial and health benefits for residents while acting as a real-world testbed for reducing the upfront cost of net zero for landlords.

The approach will potentially bring energy savings to social housing residents and reduce the upfront cost barrier by exploring alternative financing solutions to fund the retrofits. Under exploration is a solution where capital is repaid through various sources, including selling solar power the homes generate, retrofit credits, and government grants. The success of this project can serve as a blueprint for transforming social housing at scale across the UK.

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The consortium led by Pineapple Sustainable Partnerships serves as a one-stop-shop to simplify the decarbonisation journey, from assessing energy needs to funding and implementing the upgrades. This simplifies retrofitting for landlords, like Places for People, who want to maintain healthier, more comfortable, and energy-efficient homes at scale.

By simplifying the process and exploring project financing, the consortium aims to unlock a scalable solution for social housing providers. This translates into social value, where residents can enjoy lower energy bills and improved living conditions, all while contributing to a more sustainable future.

The consortium's goal is to create a commercially viable model that can be easily adopted by the entire sector. NatWest is hosting a series of roundtables to discuss the project and its potential impact on the housing sector. Those interested in learning more and joining this groundbreaking initiative are encouraged to contact Pineapple Sustainable Partnerships.