A substantial £3 million in extra funding has been allocated to the Tees Valley area, aimed at enhancing energy efficiency in numerous residences. This financial boost is a component of a broader £14 million initiative secured by the North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub, targeting the renovation of 2381 properties throughout the extended region.
The funds will facilitate upgrades to 200 dwellings under the management of Darlington Borough Council, encompassing loft and wall insulation, double glazing, and eco-friendly heating solutions like heat pumps. Additionally, Thirteen, a social housing provider, will undertake the renovation of 381 homes across Tees Valley.
Sharon Thomas, Thirteen’s chief investment and property officer, remarked: “We’re delighted to secure this additional funding, which means we can help even more of our customers benefit from warmer, more energy-efficient homes. By working in partnership across the Tees Valley, we’ll be able to retrofit hundreds more homes, improving comfort, reducing energy use, and helping residents lower their household bills.
These upgrades will not only make homes warmer and more sustainable, but will also contribute to reducing carbon emissions and supporting investment in local communities.” The additional funding was awarded to a consortium of 22 local authorities and housing providers after it exceeded Government delivery targets, with the investment further supported by co-funding from consortium partners.
Local Impact
Karen Oliver Spry, manager of the North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub, commented: “This funding is a boost and reflects the strong delivery of local partners working to improve social housing, cut carbon emissions and help residents live in warmer, healthier homes. With this latest allocation, hundreds more households will benefit from energy-efficiency upgrades, improving comfort and wellbeing while helping to reduce household energy use and bills.
The North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub is funded and directed by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Great British Energy, with the Tees Valley Combined Authority acting as its host authority. The Hub supports local energy projects and the delivery of national programmes including the Warm Homes Plan and Clean Energy 2030 ambitions.
Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen stated: “People across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool are still being hit by the high cost of energy bills and that is money coming straight out of hardworking families’ pockets. This funding means hundreds more homes will get the upgrades they need to stay warmer, waste less energy and bring bills down. We’ll keep fighting to get every penny we can to ensure our families are spending less of their hard-earned money on heating their homes.”
