1. Fiona Hannon Energy Action Fuel Poverty Conference 2014
Tackling Fuel Poverty
Fiona Hannon
Energy Action Fuel Poverty Conference 2014

2. What’s happened in the last 12 months

3. Suppliers committed to never disconnecting an engaging customer
Energy Engage Code?
To keep disconnections in the electricity and gas markets to an absolute minimum
Suppliers committed to never disconnecting an engaging customer

4. What is it? A joint commitment from suppliers to:
Never disconnect an engaging customer
Treat customers as individuals
Offer a range of payment and repayment options
Work with customers to find the most suitable solution for them
Provide every opportunity to remain connected
Always offer a PAYG meter where possible
Work more closely with agencies representing customers – VDP, MABS

5. Results so far
Those who are aware of the Code are more positive about contacting us and more likely to proactively contact us
Code has become widely publicised by customer representative groups
Key assistance from SVP and MABS promoting the Code

6. How’s the industry doing?

7. Reduction in Electricity Disconnections
*All figures taken from published CER Retail Market Monitoring Reports

8. Electricity PAYG meters installed 2012-2014

9. Correlation between PAYG and Disconnection

10. Reduction in Gas Disconnections

11. Gas PAYG Installed

12. Correlation between PAYG and disconnection

13. Summary Continuing downward trend
Direct correlation between PAYG availability and disconnection
Figures include vacant properties – working with CER to identify these properties to remove them from reports

14. What’s SSE Airtricity doing?

15. Increasing options for customers
An Post Household Budget Scheme – first supplier in 20 years to enter the scheme which allows direct payments from social welfare benefits towards bills
Top up options – over phone, online, Paypoint, Payzone
Lifestyle PAYG metering

16. SSE Airtricity Energy Efficiency Initiatives

17. How do they work?
Working in partnership with bodies including county councils and SEAI
SSE Airtricity manage the project from end to end
Contribute time and financial resources
Aiming to reduce bills by increasing energy efficiency in homes
Measures include loft & cavity insulation, upgrading boilers, storage heaters and installing new windows

18. Fingal Project Worked with SEAI & Fingal County Council
69 Local Authority Homes involved
60% homes in fuel poverty before project commenced
Installed new high efficiency gas boilers and undertook BER assessments

19. Wexford Project Worked with SEAI & Wexford County Council
102 Local Authority Homes involved
80% homes in fuel poverty before project commenced
Installed cavity and loft insulation at properties and undertook BER assessments

20. Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Project
Worked with SEAI & Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council
80 Local Authority Homes involved
60% homes in fuel poverty before project commenced
Installed new high efficiency boilers, cavity and loft insulation at properties and undertook BER assessments

21. Limerick Project Worked with SEAI & Limerick County Council
444 Local Authority Homes involved
80% homes in fuel poverty before project commenced
Installed cavity and loft insulation at properties and undertook BER assessments

22. What’s Next?

23. For SSE Airtricity?
Continue to work with customers and explore new budgeting options
Working with the Energy Engage Code to encourage engagement with customers who may be struggling
Continue to work to bring energy efficiency to homes through partnerships

24. For energy?
Wider availability of prepayment meters for customers in need
Implications of energy efficiency obligations
What about VAT rate? 5% UK 5.5% France

25. Thank You