Commitment to Energy Conservation,
Renewable Energy and the Environment

Energy Projects Plus is an environmental charity whose aim is to reduce the environmental and social impact of energy use within Merseyside and Cheshire. It is a non-profit making organisation with all income used to achieve its charitable aims.

The Charity was formed in 1995 and has continued to develop into a team of over 20 staff delivering front-line projects that include advice, awareness raising, training and education work, promotion and management of grants resulting in installation of measures.

In addition, the Charity develops policies and strategies related to energy use and fuel poverty, and undertakes studies addressing issues that affect take-up of action by energy users in Merseyside and Cheshire.

Energy Projects Plus develops programmes independently and also manages projects on behalf of other organisations.

Front-line Programmes currently being delivered include:

	Delivery of the Energy Savings Trust Advice Centre (ESTAC) service for Merseyside and Cheshire, providing free and impartial advice.
	Health referral programmes on behalf of Wirral MBC (Wirral Warm Homes), Halton Borough Council (HEARTH) and Healthy Living Centres in Sefton (SEARCH): over 200 homes with vulnerable occupants have received insulation and heating.
	Rural issues are addressed through the Rural Energy Action Partnership and the Community Energy Programme both of which take the energy efficiency and renewables message, through community events, to rural communities in Cheshire. Over 30 community events are planned for this year’s programme.
	Wirral Cosy Homes and Halton Energy Zone: marketing, managing and issuing insulation grants to private householders throughout the Boroughs. Over 1,000 homes have been insulated to date.
	Keep Warm in Liverpool 8 works with the diverse local community, particularly focusing on the Somali community, to overcome language and cultural barriers and promote energy efficiency including the provision of grants for insulation, heating and security measures. Funded by npower the scheme has installed 74 measures to date.
	Promoting sustainable energy through the curriculum, including links with home energy use, Watt Watchers and the School Energy Awareness Programme (SEAP) have worked with over 30 schools in 2004.
	Energy Projects Plus has developed the Cheshire Renewable Energy Initiative (CREI) in partnership with Cheshire County Council (CCC) and other organisations. A detailed web-site, hosted by CCC, www.cheshirerenewables.co.uk, has been developed promoting the existence and potential of renewable energy projects in Cheshire. CREI also includes quarterly meetings held to develop ideas and projects and is facilitated by Cheshire LASP.
	Merseyside Renewable Energy Initiative (MREI), led by Energy Projects Plus, has recently been launched. Facilitated by Merseyside LASP and including a broad range of partner organisations MREI will be formally launched in May 2005 at the Tate Gallery, Liverpool.
	Three feasibility studies have recently been completed through the Energy Saving Trust’s Innovation Programme addressing issues including barriers to energy efficiency improvement of properties with solid walls, identifying improvement options for rural properties that use solid fuel heating, and the development of energy impact assessment within the parish plan process.

New schemes being delivered by Energy Projects Plus include

• Vale Royal Rural Solid Fuel Scheme: residents in Vale Royal will benefit from energy efficiency and renewable energy measures through this scheme. Part-funded by the Energy Saving Trust Innovation Programme, the scheme is in its initial stages and will ultimately reduce carbon emissions by over 98 tonnes
• Crewe Warmer Walls Project: residents of properties with solid walls will be offered a range of measures including DIY internal wall insulation to improve the energy efficiency of their homes and lead to a reduction of over 170 tonnes of carbon emissions
• Gone With The Wind is a feasibility study assessing the most effective means of marketing energy efficiency improvements to residents of properties situated in more exposed coastal locations
• A feasibility study assessing the options for improving the energy efficiency of parsonages in the Diocese of Liverpool is being undertaken with a range of partners. The options identified will also be promoted to the community in which the parsonages are situated linking the churches’ role of both community member and community leader

Energy Projects Plus has a well-established reputation for developing projects in partnership across Merseyside and Cheshire. It works with regional bodies, local authorities, health sector partners, utilities and community groups to achieve improvement in environmental performance and health and well-being.