Carillion signs contract for Green Deal energy services in Birmingham
Carillion has signed a contract with the Birmingham Energy Savers scheme to deliver energy services as part of the Green Deal. Under the scheme, Carillion will work with Birmingham City Council as its exclusive delivery partner to improve the energy and carbon efficiency of up to 60 000 households across the city, together with schools and other non-domestic council properties.
The scheme will give households affordable ways of improving their properties by fitting energy-efficiency measures, such as insulation and new boilers, under the Government’s Green Deal.
The 8-year contract is estimated to be worth initially up to £600 million, but has the potential to be extended to the wider West Midlands are under a framework agreement worth up to £1.5 billion over eight years.
With the contract having been finalised, Carillion is embarking on a recruitment programme for locally based energy assessors. Carillion has committed to create and sustain at least 360 jobs and help 600 people from priority groups into placements, training and jobs — many through its own investment and skills training but also by encouraging its business partner to invest locally in a range of new green-energy facilities.
Richard Howson, Carillion’s chief executive, says, ‘Birmingham Energy Savers is a genuinely ground-breaking scheme, and we are delighted to have agreed this contract with Birmingham City Council. We believe that to reach its full potential, the programme must fully engage with the community, and this is why the next stage focuses on recruiting local people and business to deliver the scheme.
Cllr James McKay, cabinet member for a green, safe and smart city at Birmingham City Council, says, ‘This programme represents a major milestone in Birmingham’s green ambitions and demonstrates that the social justice and environmental agendas go hand-in-hand with each other. It will reduce energy bills for citizens by up to £300 per year — taking up to 40 000 people out of fuel poverty by 2015 — create jobs in the technology supply chain and ensure that there are less carbon emissions from the city.’
