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New Energy World™
New Energy World™ embraces the whole energy industry as it connects and converges to address the decarbonisation challenge. It covers progress being made across the industry, from the dynamics under way to reduce emissions in oil and gas, through improvements to the efficiency of energy conversion and use, to cutting-edge initiatives in renewable and low-carbon technologies.
Can renewables reduce energy poverty?
28/5/2025
8 min read
Feature
How should the UK balance its net zero 2050 target with the pressing need to help citizens – especially vulnerable populations – to keep warm at home? What are the most urgent actions, and what are the most important actions? Should we offer support for fabric-first energy efficiency or prioritise decarbonisation? Findings from a Parliamentary report and pan-European energy poverty research may show the way. New Energy World Senior Editor Will Dalrymple reports.
Both decarbonisation and energy efficiency retrofits were emphasised in a recent UK Parliament Energy Security and Net Zero (ESNZ) Committee report published in May. The report called on the government to provide longer-term certainty for its retrofit support schemes, launch a national warm homes advice service and introduce a carbon metric to certify the energy performance of homes.
The Committee said that, since four in five homes that will be occupied in 2050 have already been built, most will need retrofitting with low-carbon heating systems and energy efficiency improvements for the UK to achieve net zero emissions. That amounts to 29 million homes that need retrofitting by 2050 to achieve the UK government’s emission reduction targets.
According to the Select Committee, upgrading all homes to at least Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) level C would deliver £40bn in economic benefits in the next five years alone, and up to £100bn in further benefits over the following decade. It would also make homes warmer, healthier and potentially cheaper to heat, reducing levels of cold-related illnesses and mental health conditions.