Birmingham City Council is set to appoint up to five specialist contractors for a £265 million programme aimed at enhancing the energy efficiency of 3,000 homes annually.

In an unconventional approach, the council will charge the selected firms an annual fee. This fee will cover the council’s costs in targeting and promoting Energy Company Obligations (ECO) and the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) funded measures within Birmingham. The council will also verify household eligibility, sign declarations, and liaise with the Department for Net Zero.

Neither the council nor households will provide funding towards the retrofit measures. Instead, installers will be required to deliver the retrofit improvements and apply for funding from the relevant bodies.

Firms on the Approved Installer List will be responsible for marketing, developing, and delivering a comprehensive service from application to completion. Each installer will oversee a specific section of the city, following an area-based approach.

The retrofit measures will include insulation works, low carbon heating systems, renewable energy installations, heating system upgrades and repairs, glazing and doors, draught proofing, and flood risk appropriate measures.

Details of the delivery framework will be discussed at a virtual market engagement on 17 July 2024 from 9:30 am to 11:30 am. Tendering will commence in early August.

For more information, contact Birmingham City Council regarding the P2203 Approved Installer List related to Scaling up Retrofit.