Retrofit
The first focus for the 3 Cities is accelerating retrofit activities across social homes. Retrofit introduces new materials, products and technologies into existing buildings to reduce the energy needed, and therefore the CO2 emitted, whilst improving thermal comfort. Introducing renewable energy generation solutions such as photovoltaic, offsite wind renewables and battery storage provides the route to net zero.
The 3 Cities Retrofit is an initiative to develop an integrated retrofit programme across the cities and one which reflects the diversity of needs and housing portfolios of each city.
The scale - potentially some 700,000 homes and of the 165,000 social homes across the cities - combined with regional and city expertise and the collaborative approach of our pooled assets, means the 3 Cities are in an advantageous position to accelerate and drive forward the decarbonisation of homes.
By working together and with other partners, we will address barriers, build capacity, and develop a range of funding, financing, and delivery models for retrofit initially across social housing but looking beyond as well. Through our collaborative and integrated approach, the 3 Cities offers a single entry point for partners and investors to co-shape this at-scale initiative.
Deborah Cadman OBE
Birmingham City Council Chief Executive
"Reaching net zero means tackling all emissions including from housing. With Birmingham having the country’s largest council housing stock, we know the task is significant. But, coming together as the 3 Cities retrofit represents a unique commitment of our cities and a huge opportunity to transform social homes and spur wider change in the market.
Our collective assets and expertise mean we’ve significant comparative advantages to advance one of the largest retrofit programmes in the country and bring significant benefits including carbon reduction, renewal of homes, levelling up, new jobs and accelerating innovation. We’re now seeking ambitious investors, businesses and partners to join us in supporting and shaping this transformative programme."
Martin Reeves
Coventry City Council Chief Executive
"De-carbonisation and the retrofitting of homes at scale across the 3 Cities and the wider West Midlands, is one of the most significant challenges facing us. Whilst it’s daunting to conceptualise the scale of what we face, this collaborative project provides a series of once-in-a-generation opportunities to create jobs, new supply chains, future-proof homes and, perhaps most importantly, reduce and hopefully eradicate fuel poverty across our three cities and the region.
The existing, undisputed assets we have on research & development, innovation, companies growing in the green futures and energy sector, allied to a commitment to help lead the UK’s sustainable future, makes this feel achievable, but only if we keep our ambitions high, never compromise and bring all key stakeholders with us. This is one of the most impactful programmes I have been involved in during twenty years of public service leadership."
Tim Johnson
City of Wolverhampton Council Chief Executive
"As three ambitious, progressive cities, we are determined to provide energetic leadership to enable us to be at the forefront of the UK's drive towards delivering a high quality, energy efficient, retrofitted housing stock that will provide great homes for local people.
We are intensively focused on developing an unrivalled expertise in shaping innovative, viable funding solutions, capable of being delivered at scale. In parallel to ensure the local employment benefits are captured we will focus on shaping an education, skills and employability system focused initially on meeting the needs arising from the initial retrofit opportunity. Our respective track records as centres of excellence and innovation across a range of growing economic sectors gives us the confidence that combining our expertise and resources will enable us to deliver a truly transformational outcome."
Our comprehensive approach to retrofit brings together the three elements of energy efficiency improvements, heat decarbonisation and energy generation
Energy Efficiency
The outcomes of high-quality energy efficiency measures are improved thermal comfort and reduced fuel bills which contribute to combatting fuel poverty. Improving energy efficiency could deliver over 40% of the Paris Agreement targeted carbon reductions, whilst increasing stock value and reducing maintenance costs.
Heating Decarbonisation
Decarbonisation of heat involves switching to innovative low carbon technologies to provide homes with clean sources of heat. District heating networks form a significant investment opportunity. They are an important part of the UK’s plan to reduce carbon and cut bills – it is estimated that 18% of the UK’s heat will need to come from these networks by 2050.
Renewable Energy Generation
This involves individual or large-scale local electricity generation from renewable, or replenishable, sources of energy such as solar or wind to deliver net zero. Renewable energy generation and battery storage is already mainstream and arguably the component with the best economic profile and most proven investment case.
This visual presents an indicative average capex cost breakdown and impact on energy and carbon reduction as result of a of a low energy deep whole house domestic retrofit which meets the EnerPHit Retrofit standard as developed by the Passivhaus Trust.
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