Tackling fuel poverty a key priority says Ritchie

Ending fuel poverty and improving energy efficiency will be one of her key priorities, Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said today.

The Minister was speaking at the annual conference of the UK Home Energy Conservation Association. This is the first time the conference has been held outside Great Britain.

Addressing over 200 delegates from throughout the UK and Ireland, The Minister said:

“Government has already invested heavily in reducing energy consumption and much has been achieved – 95% of dwellings with lofts now have loft insulation while 77% of dwellings have some form of wall insulation. In addition,

in 2006/07, £70million went into tackling fuel poverty.

“These achievements show the level of commitment from Government, a commitment which must and will continue. I am pleased to say that, 1,200 fuel-poor homes in both the private and social housing sector will benefit from a 100% funded solar panel, leading to reduced fuel bills and affordable warmth and during this financial year, over £20million will be spent improving energy efficiency through the Warm Homes Scheme.

“These achievements would not have been possible without the efforts of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and its partner organisations.”

Paddy McIntyre, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive said:

“We are delighted that HECA is hosting its annual conference in Belfast. It provides a great opportunity to showcase the work that has been carried out in Northern Ireland. A great deal has been achieved in terms of energy efficiency here. The most recent information shows a 17.2% improvement in energy efficiency which means £106.4million has been saved each year on the domestic fuel bill for Northern Ireland.

“The Housing Executive continues to improve the energy efficiency of its own stock and support schemes in the private sector. The Housing Executive, for example, is currently installing the largest solar panel scheme in Europe – 600 homes have already been fitted with a further 400 scheduled to be fitted by this autumn.

“Despite the progress there is still a good bit of work to be done, including the need to focus more attention on the behavioural side of energy efficiency. As dwellings are physically made more energy efficient we need to make sure that their occupants use energy more wisely.”

Oliver Myers, the UK HECA Chair, said:

“Climate change is one of the most challenging issues facing us. Because homes account for 27% of the UK's total CO2 emissions, reducing the domestic carbon footprint will be crucial. The National Home Energy Conservation Association has a pivotal role to play in meeting this challenge and we will be highlighting ways to reduce household emissions during our conference in Belfast. We are particularly looking forward to seeing some of Northern Ireland's best practice at first hand.”

The conference will be attended by Baroness Maddock, who sponsored the original Home Energy Conservation Act as a Private Members Bill.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. The conference theme is: Fuelling the debate: Energy Efficiency / Renewables / Nuclear Power.

2. Local Councils throughout Great Britain are designated as Home Energy Conservation Authorities (HECA) with a remit to reduce energy consumption in dwellings. As the Housing Executive has local responsibility for housing, it is the single HECA Authority in Northern Ireland. UK HECA is a representative body for Home Energy Conservation officers employed by local councils throughout the UK.

The conference has been sponsored by six organisations, NIE, Phoenix Gas, Firmus Energy; Action Renewables, Kingspan Insulation and Eaga Partnership: Each organisation is a key player in the local energy industry and supportive of energy efficiency.

3. Photographs will be available later today at http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/heca.htm

4. Media enquiries to Jonathan Blease in the Housing Executive Press Office on 028 9031 8786 / 07717731985 or Fionnuala Campbell in the DSD Press Office on 028 9082 9468.