ALEO Midlands is kindly sponsored by Instagroup
The next Midlands Forum meeting is scheduled for 12th June 2025. Please register on Eventbrite or contact aleo@actonenergy.org.uk for details.
April 2025 News
- British Gas to take on Rebel customers Ofgem appoints British Gas to take on customers of Rebel Energy Supply Ltd (Rebel Energy) | Ofgem
- The Walsall Energy Project…..https://go.walsall.gov.uk/newsroom/free-1-2-1-energy-advice-home-visits-walsall-residents and a reminder of the DEAL wesbsite pages https://dudleyci.co.uk/services/dudley-energy-advice-line-deal-dudley-mbc
- West Midlands Solar Together launch https://councilnews.dudley.gov.uk/news/solar-together-launches-in-the-west-midlands
- News from Birmingham Social Housing Partnership BSHP and Acton Energy Breakfast Briefing session – Birmingham Social Housing Partnership
- Government has published its response to the Energy Company Obligation 4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme mid-scheme changes consultation, (page 4 & 5 has a useful summary incl the changes which will be implemented) Energy Company Obligation 4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme: mid-scheme changes consultation – government response
- Latest published guidance on Local NZ support https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-net-zero-support-for-local-authorities-and-communities/local-net-zero-central-support-for-local-authorities-and-communities
- WMCA – Six new NZ neighbourhoods unveiled https://www.wmca.org.uk/news/mayor-funds-six-new-net-zero-neighbourhoods-to-improve-lives-cut-energy-bills-and-protect-nature/
- Gov opens Warm Homes Grant application https://www.gov.uk/apply-warm-homes-local-grant and guidance for LAs https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66f1573cbd3aced9da489bcf/Warm-Homes-Local-Grant-guidance.pdf
- Question mark over zonal pricing still exists https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/apr/03/zonal-electricity-pricing-plan-could-add-3bn-a-year-to-gb-bills-report-finds
- New WMCA funding for businesses to improve energy efficiency https://www.wmca.org.uk/news/new-funding-to-help-hundreds-more-businesses-cut-energy-costs-and-carbon-emissions/
- Rebel Energy ceases trading Ofgem protects customers of Rebel Energy | Ofgem and https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/apr/01/rebel-energy-goes-bust
Please click on the links to view Coventry’s Climate Change Newsletter and the LGA Sustainability Bulletin
WMCA’s bid to “supercharge” smart tech https://www.wmca.org.uk/news/west-midlands-to-supercharge-uk-s-smart-energy-revolution/
Solihull’s Big Switch is back Big Community Switch returns to help residents save money on energy bills | solihull.gov.uk
- Worcestershire County Council is keen for partners to signpost Worcestershire Winters Well – online advice for all residents on a range of measures; worcestershire.gov.uk/winter
- Severn Wye has been promoting its Home Energy Surveys https://severnwye.org.uk/my-home/home-energy-surveys/
Coventry City Council has provided guidance around damp and mould in its Landlord newsletter
Coventry releases its Climate Change Strategy https://www.coventry.gov.uk/news/article/5087/council-agrees-climate-change-strategy-until-2030
- With a commitment to decarbonise the power sector by 2030, this Guardian piece looks at the obstacles ahead https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/oct/17/will-great-british-energy-herald-uk-green-revolution-labour-ed-miliband
- EST has published this end to end, step-by step guide to the heat pump journey https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/heat-pump-installation-a-step-by-step-guide/
- The green view from MPs https://eciu.net/media/press-releases/2024/poll-new-mps-greener-but-wrong-on-evs-and-home-heating
- Sustainable homes development Solihull https://www.wmca.org.uk/news/former-solihull-school-site-set-for-177-sustainable-homes/
- New research on fall out from WFP https://www.endfuelpoverty.org.uk/winter-fuel-payment-cuts-set-to-hit-84-of-disabled-pensioners/
- Tenant engagement retrofit toolkit from MNZH Learn how to develop a tenant engagement strategy for retrofit projects with new toolkit – Midlands Net Zero Hub
- Fuel Bank Foundation’s latest research findings https://www.fuelbankfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FBF-Fuel-Crisis-Report-2024_Digital.pdf
- Coventry CC is promoting its HSF in the weekly bulletin, but note this paragraph
- Solihull is also promoting its HSF – and we’ve social media planned for this week too https://www.solihull.gov.uk/news/help-energy-costs-available-through-household-support-fund
- NEA’s feedback on the Smart Symposium https://www.nea.org.uk/smart-symposium/
- A report into the potential adverse effects of cumulative noise from ASHP noise in high-density residential areas. https://www.nesta.org.uk/report/air-source-heat-pump-cumulative-noise-impact/ “we did not find a significant increase in noise levels from multiple heat pumps. The cumulative noise impact of multiple ASHP installations in a high-density neighbourhood would not typically be distinguishable from that of a nearby single air source heat pump installed within MCS guidelines.”