Equans appointed by Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils to deliver decarbonisation for social housing
Equans, has been appointed by Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils to deliver vital decarbonisation work across the council’s housing stock, using funds secured through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF).
Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils used the South East Consortium’s Zero Carbon Framework to find support for their SHDF Wave 2 application. This process led to the appointment of Equans, resulting in a successful bid that secured £1.6 million for the project. The councils will match this amount, doubling the total amount of funding available for the programme
Equans has now been appointed to deliver the contract, which will see significant retrofit measures, including solar panels, ventilation upgrades and external wall insulation undertaken at 100 of the councils’ social housing stock. The work will make homes warmer and also reduce energy bills for tenants.
Rob Young, Regional Managing Director for Equans UK & Ireland, said: “We were really pleased Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils were rightly awarded funding from the last round of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund and we’re now thrilled we get to bring our plans into fruition. The councils have demonstrated a remarkable commitment to decarbonising their built estate – declaring a climate emergency in 2019 and pledging to be net zero carbon by 2030.
“The core of our business is supporting our partners to meet their net zero carbon ambitions and we have had significant success delivering projects under SHDF. We are looking forward to progressing this important programme of works to drastically improve the quality of life for local residents, by offering warmer and more affordable homes.”
Babergh District Council cabinet member for housing, Cllr Jessie Carter said: “This is vital work to improve our council housing stock, and – more importantly – the lives of our tenants by making their homes warmer and more energy efficient. It also helps our ambitious targets to reduce Babergh’s carbon footprint.”
Cllr Richard Winch, cabinet member for housing and property in Mid Suffolk, said: “This work helps us further improve standards for our tenants, by helping us to make real progress in retrofitting and decarbonising our social housing. This is one of many ways that we are already making a practical difference to the lives of our tenants, as well as tackling climate change.”
Work is scheduled to start in February and will progress over the next two years.