The challenge
This business case needed to achieve three goals:
1 Set out the long term strategy for this programme
2 Identify potential projects that could deliver it
3 Present a solid economic evidence base for requesting funds from the Scottish and UK governments
Even with a strong strategic rationale, a wide range of financial sources was needed to deliver the programme
How we helped
We created a database of all the ongoing energy efficiency programmes available in the region, including national programmes accessible to councils and options for homeowners or landlords.
Public EPC report data was used to build a detailed picture of domestic properties in the region and their potential for retrofit. We conducted over 30 interviews with stakeholders across academia, industry, and education providers – capturing the obstacles for achieving this ambition.
We consistently consulted with the GCR’s Expert Advisory Group: academics, housing developers, Scottish Government representatives, senior local authority figures, and other key parties.
To deliver the work, we leveraged our network of industry contacts.
edenseven analysed the EPC data and explained trends on the property makeup of the region. Turner and Townsend also supported by bringing their experience in delivering energy efficiency projects to Expert Advisory Panel workshops.
The funding options had to account for important considerations that come with a large-scale programme that deals with the homeowners and tenants directly, striking a fine balance between the incentives offered by government grants and the need for public buy-in.The stakeholder interviews and our own experience informed three scenarios that reflected different options for increasing domestic energy efficiency levels.
The results
The business case featured a ‘programme of projects’ with potential to include in the outline business case (OBC). This information was used to project the overall cost of the programme.
Public and private funding and financing options that reduced the size of the government funding requests were also included in it.
The business case explained recommendations for GCR to consider, including immediate solutions: forming working groups and delivering retrofit pilot projects.
The analysis tied in the views of the Expert Advisory Panel, stakeholder interviews, and evidence from similar projects.
The GCR cabinet formally approved the recommendations in the report as part of their retrofit strategy.
The retrofit programme requires between £4 billion and £20 billion of further funding if all domestic properties are to reach between EPC C and net zero by 2040. This programme business case was the first step in a long term programme over the next 10-15 years.
