HC Deb 29 June 1990 vol 175 cc383-4W
Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if, further to his reply of 22 June,Official Report, column 719, to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Provan, he will list all measures taken so far by the Energy Efficiency Office for the promotion of improvements in energy conservation.

Mr. Peter Morrison

Since the Energy Efficiency Office was established in 1983, it has offered a substantial range of programmes and initiatives to encourage consumers to improve their energy efficiency.

Initially, the EEO aimed to develop general awareness of the value of energy efficiency through extensive publicity campaigns, particularly during energy efficiency year (1986), and through several specific programmes, among which were: —the energy efficiency survey scheme for grants towards the cost of independent energy survey; —the energy efficiency research development and demonstration programmes to help develop and disseminate new energy efficient technology; —the monitoring and targeting programme to develop energy management systems for 40 sectors of industry; —support for the energy management movement throughout the United Kingdom.

The EEO's current main programmes are as follows: —the best practice programme to give independent and authoritative information and advice backed by thorough technical research; —an enhanced regional programme, stimulating the development and application of energy management skills and techniques; —a campaign in the public sector with an objective of realising annual energy savings of 15 per cent. within five years; —proposals (included in the Social Security Bill) for the home energy efficiency scheme to provide grants for basic insulation measures in low income households; this scheme will replace and augment the existing community insulation programme; —the promotion of combined heat and power.

Among other initiatives, the EEO encourages the development of energy studies in schools, commercially based energy labelling schemes for homes, and standards for energy-consuming appliances. The EEO also publishes an extensive range of technical and non-technical information and guidance.

Forward to