Agenda item

            The Committee considered the following report and accompanying response in respect of the Department for the Economy’s consultation on the Plan for the Implementation of the Energy One Stop Shop:

 

“1.0     Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

 

1.1            To update the Committee on the Energy One Stop Shop Implementation Plan – consultation on policy options. The closing date of the consultation has been extended from 20th January to 31st January, 2023 at 5 p. m.

 

2.0       Recommendations

 

2.1       It is recommended that the Committee review the following summary of the DFE Energy One Stop Shop Implementation Plan – consultation on policy options and the attached officer response, which will be submitted prior to 31st January, on the basis that it is subject to Council ratification:

 

·        While broadly welcoming the Energy One Stop Shop principles, objectives, services and phased approach we have requested alignment with both regional and local targets and initiatives including the Belfast net zero targets of 66% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2025, 80% reduction by 2030, and 100% reduction by 2050, the development of the Belfast Local Area Energy Plan and the development of the Belfast EV Strategy. We have also encouraged a tailored communication and engagement approach to the most vulnerable in society, and that research be undertaken to understand the needs of the most vulnerable, our communities and partners, such as the Council, in supporting the energy transition and ensuring a just transition.

 

3.0       Main Report

 

3.1       One of the key actions in the NI Energy Strategy is that the Department for Economy (DFE) establish an Energy One Stop Shop to provide impartial information, advice and support aimed at helping to overcome the barriers that consumers face in moving to sustainable technologies and may provide a number of benefits and advantages. In the consultation document DFE have set out a series of principles, strategic objectives and services which could be provided by the One Stop Shop.

 

3.2       Energy One Stop Shop Principles

 

            The suggested principles underpinning the work of the Energy One Stop Shop are that it will:

 

·        Be consumer centric – the One Stop Shop will focus on delivering positive outcomes for consumers;

 

·        Provide tailored services – the One Stop Shop will meet the needs of individual consumer groups to ensure domestic and non-domestic consumers have access to the adequate types and levels of information, advice and support that they need;

·        Have adequate sectoral and technical expertise – the One Stop Shop will provide up to date, accurate and factual information and advice on existing and upcoming products, technologies and services;

 

·        Deliver a trusted service – building consumer trust will be a key priority for the One Stop Shop;

 

·        Provide impartial information and advice – the One Stop Shop will only provide factual, accurate and independent information; and

 

·        Deliver service in partnership with other bodies and organisations – the One Stop Shop will create partnerships with other organisations to ensure a presence across Northern Ireland and to maximise the benefits to consumers.

 

3.3       Energy One Stop Shop Strategic Objectives

 

            DFE has identified a set of strategic objectives for the Energy One Stop Shop which are that it will inform, advise and support people, businesses and communities to enable them to transition to affordable, smart decarbonised solutions for their energy efficiency, power, heat and transport needs, with special regard to those who may be least able to with a focus on:

 

·        Domestic consumers with vulnerable characteristics (e.g. low income, of pensionable age, digitally excluded, living with chronic ailment or disability and in rural areas);

 

 

·        All other domestic consumers;

 

·        Small businesses (up to 50 employees); and

 

·        Larger businesses (over 50 employees).

 

3.4       The Council response welcomes the principles and strategic objectives set out above however encourages the Energy One Stop Shop to align with and support the delivery of both regional and local net zero targets such as the Belfast target of a 66% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2025, 80% by 2030 and 100% by 2050. Council have also encouraged the Energy One Stop Shop to be aware of and support initiatives such as the development of a Belfast Local Area Energy Plan and Belfast EV Strategy both of which are due to complete in 2023.

 

3.5       Energy One Stop Shop Services

 

            It is proposed that the Energy One Stop Shop services will include the following:

 

·        A single point of contact service that makes available and delivers energy information and advice in an easily accessible manner through a suitable range of communication channels;

 

·        Signposting and warm referrals to relevant organisations and service delivery partners;

 

·        Encouragement of behavioural change through information and awareness campaigns and measures such as developing net zero kitemark certifications;

 

·        Wrap around support to hand-hold certain consumer groups from decision-making through implementation and follow-up support to ensure the best outcomes for them; and

 

·        Non-financial support such as training, outreach activities, carrying out energy audits and developing support networks.

 

3.6       Potential additional activities have been identified within the consultation, which include:

 

·        To lead in the production of national and sectoral statistics to meet reporting obligations, guide policy and inform investment decisions;

 

·        To undertake a programme of energy and behavioural research;

 

·        To support energy education in schools;

 

·        Provide support to businesses and public authorities including grants, financial support, energy audits, training, toolkits and kitemark certification;

 

·        Provide support to sustainable energy communities including financial support;

 

·        Deliver or administer financial support schemes, especially targeted to those who need it most;

 

·        Monitor compliance and raise awareness of labelling and eco-design regulations.

 

3.7       The Council is broadly in agreement with the suggested services, however, it has suggested a potential programme to understand and meet the needs of the most vulnerable in society, communities and partners such as the Council. We have also suggested a tailored communication and engagement plan may support this activity within the wider communication approach outlined in the consultation documents.

 

3.8       Implementation Timeframe

 

            The consultation document outlines the intention to develop a project plan in 2023 and to initiate a 3-year pilot as soon as possible, subject to funding.

 

            Phase 1 services within the pilot would include:

 

·        Establishing a dedicated website, social media channels and freephone helpline;

 

·        Free and independent information to consumers and business by phone;

 

·        Detailed information online and through social media, with the initial focus on energy efficiency;

 

·        Signposting to other organisations who are sources of energy advice; and

 

·        Raising awareness of energy issues and energy.

 

 

3.9       Phase 2 services include:

 

·        Free and impartial advice to consumers and businesses by phone, face to face, video-conference, messaging services;

 

·        Outreach activities and information campaigns;

 

·        Warm referrals to service delivery partners;

 

·        Non-financial support identified by the pilot as being asked for by consumers;

 

·        Create and develop service delivery partnerships; and

 

·        Develop and undertake a programme of energy and net zero consumer behavioural research.

 

3.10     Beyond the 3-year pilot, in year 4 onwards it is proposed that the service includes:

 

·        Wrap-around support to certain consumer groups from decision-making through implementation and follow-up support;

 

·        Kitemark certifications;

 

·        Support networks and community champions; and

 

·        Compilation of NI and sectoral statistics to comply with any future net zero monitoring and reporting requirements required by the NI Executive.

 

3.11     The attached draft Council response supports the above phased approach, however, it suggests that could any service be accelerated into an earlier phase it should be done so at the earliest opportunity.

 

            Financial and Resource Implications

 

3.12     None

 

            Equality or Good Relations Implications/

            Rural Needs Implications

 

3.13     None.

 

Draft Energy One Stop Shop Consultation Response

 

QUESTION 1 – Do you agree with the Energy One Stop Shop underpinning principles?

 

Belfast City Council response: Yes, we agree with the identified principles as set out in the consultation document. In addition, we would encourage the Energy One Stop Shop to align with and support regional and local targets where feasible, for example the Belfast target of a 66% reduction in carbon emissions by 2025 based on 2020 baselines, 80% reduction by 2030, and 100% by 2050 which have been adopted by the city and were recommended in the Belfast Net Zero Carbon Roadmap. 

 

QUESTION 2 – Do you agree with the definitions for each of the proposed principles?

 

Belfast City Council response: Yes.

 

QUESTION 3 – Do you agree with the proposed strategic objectives for the Energy One Stop Shop?

 

Belfast City Council response: Yes, we welcome the strategic objectives and the focus on people, businesses and communities, decarbonisation, and the regard to those who may be least able to afford to make changes in relation to energy efficiency, power, heat and transport. As set out above we would encourage the Energy One Stop Shop to align with and support regional and local targets and initiatives, for example in Belfast a Retrofit Hub has been established which is working to develop a retrofit programme for the city and we would welcome advice, guidance, and input from the Energy One Stop Shop in that and other initiatives such as the development of a Belfast Local Energy Plan and development of a Belfast EV Strategy which are both underway and due to complete during 2023.

 

QUESTION 4 – Do you agree that the Energy One Stop Shop should provide advice, information and support to domestic consumers, micro, small and medium businesses and community energy groups?

 

Belfast City Council response: Yes. We would also encourage the reach and uptake of information to be analysed to identify areas or groups which are not availing of the support and information provided.

 

QUESTION 5 – Do you agree that the Energy One Stop Shop should take account of the needs of vulnerable domestic consumers, in particular those with low incomes, of pensionable age, digitally excluded, living with chronic ailment or disability or in rural areas?

 

Belfast City Council response: Yes, we welcome this focus on vulnerable domestic consumers and would encourage this to be a key part of the communications and service delivery plans of the Energy One Stop Shop. Belfast City Council would be keen to work with the new One Stop Shop to explore opportunities for alignment with existing programmes in Belfast.

 

We would welcome a referral pathway from the Council into the One Stop Shop for vulnerable domestic consumers and vice versa.  The most vulnerable in our community will require financial support, however the current grant schemes available have limited funding and are oversubscribed due to the demand, especially within Belfast.  We would like to see additional information around the resources to support both the Energy One Stop Shop and local provision by the likes of Belfast City Council.

 

QUESTION 6 – Do you agree with the types of services and support that the Energy One Stop Shop should deliver?

 

Belfast City Council response: Yes.

 

QUESTION 7 – Should the Energy One Stop Shop deliver any other services or activities? If so, list your priorities.

 

Belfast City Council response: In addition to the suggestion “to undertake a programme of energy and behavioural research” we would welcome research and stakeholder engagement on the needs of the most vulnerable in society, the needs of communities, and the needs of partners such as Council in relation to making the energy transition and achieving a just transition. The Belfast Community Planning Partnership may be of assistance in looking at the above in a Belfast context. We would also welcome a role on identifying and disseminating best practice from other locations to key stakeholders.

 

With regards to the most vulnerable in society, home visits to these customers could be advantageous. Face-to-face interaction and additional hand holding may be required for some and visiting vulnerable customers in their own home can assist with building up a relationship and highlight the need for signposting and onward referrals.

 

QUESTION 8 – Do you agree with the proposed initial list of consumer engagement channels for the Energy One Stop Shop?

 

Belfast City Council response: Yes, we agree with the suggested communication channels however given the focus on vulnerable communities and individuals it may be helpful to develop a tailored communication and engagement plan to support this work.

QUESTION 9 – Do you agree with the proposed approach to refine and improve consumer engagement?

 

Belfast City Council response: Yes, however as noted above it may be helpful to develop and tailored communication and engagement plan to support this work.

 

QUESTION 10 – Do you agree with the proposal to commence the operation of the Energy One Stop Shop with a Pilot and that it should launch as soon as possible?

 

Belfast City Council response: Yes, in addition should any support be required during the project plan development, or 3-year pilot phase please contact the Climate Unit, Belfast City Council. 

 

QUESTION 11 – Do you agree with the proposed Energy One Stop Shop Implementation Roadmap?

 

Belfast City Council response: Yes, as above should any support be required during the project plan development, or 3-year pilot phase please contact the Climate Unit, Belfast City Council. 

 

QUESTION 12 – Do you agree with the proposed services that would be available in Year 1 of the Pilot?

 

Belfast City Council response: Yes, we agree with the proposed phasing of services, however, should it be possible to accelerate the inclusion of services (due to funding or operational need) this should be considered.

 

QUESTION 13 – Do you agree with the proposed additional services that the Energy One Stop Shop Pilot would introduce in Years 2 and 3?

 

Belfast City Council response: Yes, we agree with the proposed phasing of services, however, should it be possible to accelerate the inclusion of services (due to funding or operational need) this should be considered.

 

QUESTION 14 – Do you agree with the proposed services that the Energy One Stop Shop may consider introducing from Year 4 onwards?

 

Belfast City Council response: Yes, we agree with the proposed phasing of services, however, should it be possible to accelerate the inclusion of services (due to funding or operational need) this should be considered.

 

QUESTION 15 – Do you agree with the proposal to create a new brand for the Energy One Stop Shop?

 

Belfast City Council response: Yes, we feel that this would support consumer and partner awareness.”

 

            The Committee endorsed the foregoing response for submission to the Department for the Economy.