http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/articles/i/5438/?cid=3

Birmingham City Council, which was chosen as one of seven cities in England to kick start the government's Green Deal, has appointed Carillion Energy to deliver the scheme.

The flagship scheme is designed to enable homeowners to install energy efficiency measures with upfront costs covered by loans repaid via energy bills. Under the 'Golden Rule', the savings made through the energy efficiency measures should offset the costs over the lifetime of the loan.

With an initial £2.6 million from the government, Birmingham City Council plan to work with local community organisations to makeover 120 households and 10 public buildings.

A further £3.2 million in matched funding will support a range of projects, including a tower block offer to fit hard to treat blocks with solid-wall insulation and replace obsolete heating systems.

Other efforts will aim to engage with private landlords to demonstrate the benefits of the Green Deal and aim to retrofit an industrial estate.

Finally, the funds will also support the installation of a district energy system with a heating facility in a local community building providing excess heat to surrounding domestic properties.

Ultimately, the Birmingham Energy Savers Programme aims to refurbish around 60,000 homes and non-domestic buildings creating at least 250 jobs in the process and cutting CO₂ emissions 60% by 2026.

Birmingham's appointment of Carillion as delivery partner has been welcomed by Energy Minister Greg Barker, who visited the city yesterday.

The Green Deal officially launched on October 1st to little fanfare and no immediate support from the mainstream high street retailers.