A guide to the Welsh optimised retrofit project
One scheme that may have caught your interest is the Welsh Optimised Retrofit
Project, so, we’re here to tell you everything you need to know about this exciting opportunity and how to get involved.
What does the scheme offer?
The Optimised Retrofit Project has an aim of decarbonising homes across Wales by making them more energy efficient and ultimately, zero carbon. The scheme is backed by the Welsh government through £13 million in funding. This cash has been made available because housing is responsible for 29% of UK’s carbon emissions, so something needs to be done to help ease the situation.
Before the project gets into full swing and is rolled out across Wales, the project partners (including major housing developers and installers) will be carrying out testing on 1,307 Pathfinder homes to develop the most pragmatic and effective way of improving the fabric of a home. This part of the programme will test a combination of fabric improvements, low and zero-carbon technologies (such as solar panels, battery storage and heat pumps), as well as intelligent operational controls.
Once the best measures have been identified, they’ll decide on a range of tools that are most efficient, and will forecast the year that each home in Wales will achieve net zero carbon. The recommended solutions will then be made available to Welsh social housing providers, government, and subsequently private homeowners for you to start installing. There are big targets involved, but it’s hoped the construction industry can pull together to meet them.
What's in it for tradespeople?
Although the project is very much in the early stages, it’s definitely one to keep an eye on. Once the scheme is rolled out across the whole of Wales, most homes are expected to take on energy efficient measures in one way or another. This means additional work for you, as well as more comfortable and affordable homes for your customers – which are great for your reputation.
However, to keep up with the scheme there may be a need for additional training to enable tradespeople to install these measures. Part of the programme will identify existing skills gaps within the retrofit industry and deliver training to industry professionals. This will be a great opportunity to diversify your typical workload and help you expand into new areas of construction. It will also aim to train up new talent, so offering new starters the chance to polish up their CV or to start their career off on the right foot!
To make sure you’re rearing to go once the programme officially launches, it’s worth looking into what qualifications you may need to brush up on.
Here are some that are often needed to install energy efficient measures:
For more information on the support available to your customers, header over to the hub.
