"We’re working with over a dozen local authorities, such as the ones in the North East, to install around £34m of upgrades to around 4,000 homes across the country. We’re not only giving people warmer, more comfortable homes, it also reduces energy bills and drives the creation of new green jobs. This is not only a step in helping the UK meet its net zero targets, it’s also one of the most effective ways to kick-start the economy after the Covid pandemic and help begin to build back better."

Michael Lewis, Chief Executive of E.ON UK

Minister for Business, Energy and Corporate Responsibility, Lord Callanan and E.ON UK CEO Michael Lewis have today been meeting with some of the future generation of green jobs workers at one of E.ON’s sustainability schemes in Newcastle.

E.ON is recruiting for 100 new permanent roles across the country to support the delivery of the Local Authority Delivery (LAD) element of the Government’s Green Homes Grant (GHG) scheme.

The new roles created include positions in the administration of the various projects such as planning, customer support and project management, as well as the more specific technical positions including electrical installers, roofers, Gas Safe assessors and Health and Safety support. E.ON also expects its supply chain partners and sub-contractors to see growth of around 400 jobs as they support the delivery of the scheme.

As part of the LAD scheme in the North East, E.ON is working with local councils across Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland to install free energy efficiency measures, such as external wall insulation, air source heat pumps and solar panels, in around 1,400 eligible homes¹. The new ‘green-collar’ jobs are already supporting the delivery of this scheme, aimed at improving the sustainability of local residents’ homes.

Michael Lewis, Chief Executive of E.ON UK, said: “Our homes are the second highest cause of the country's carbon emissions and around 19 million of them lag way behind basic standards of energy efficiency. This needs to change if the UK is going to meet its zero emissions climate targets.

“We’re working with over a dozen local authorities, such as the ones here in the North East, to install around £34m of upgrades to around 4,000 homes across the country. We’re not only giving people warmer, more comfortable homes, it also reduces energy bills and drives the creation of new green jobs. This is not only a step in helping the UK meet its net zero targets, it’s also one of the most effective ways to kick-start the economy after the Covid pandemic and help begin to build back better.”

Colin Beadling, 42 and originally from Washington Tyne and Wear, works as one of E.ON’s Energy Experts on the Electrification of Heat programme. Colin said: “I chose to move to my current role as I am passionate about sustainable energy and opportunities working on a project, such as the Electrification of Heat programme here in Newcastle, could bring.

“Since starting my role as an E.ON Energy Expert at the end of last year, I have gained a huge amount of knowledge about the renewable technologies that E.ON offers and I have been upskilled to become an expert in all things to do with air source heat pumps, from working with the customer at the survey stage, to supporting them during the install and after the installation, with any questions they have.

“Seeing the impact that the renewable technology has on the customers and transforming the housing within my local area, is a hugely rewarding part of my job.”

E.ON’s Adam Vrubleuskis, 34, who works in E.ON’s Technical and Design Team, met with Lord Callanan during the visit. Adam said: “My role at E.ON is within a design team responsible for ensuring all the specifications of sustainable technology are compliant and fit for purpose for our customers, so it requires technical knowledge as well as an understanding of the customer.

“I’ve long worked in the heating industry, but since moving into renewables I’ve seen the sector grow exponentially, which for me is hugely exciting. This is especially so in the air source heat pump market, and today E.ON has clients and is involved in schemes from the Scottish Highlands down to south east England, including delivery of this flagship Electrification Of Heat scheme here in Newcastle.”

Minister for Business, Energy and Corporate Responsibility, Lord Callanan, said: “Meeting the dedicated and innovative employees at E.ON demonstrated to me first-hand the tremendous job they are doing in transforming the homes of local residents and helping us to build back greener.

“Thanks to the Government’s multi-million-pound investment into the delivery of local green home improvements, we are seeing thousands of households and businesses across the North experience the long-term benefits of greener, cheaper, energy efficient homes, as well as the creation of permanent green jobs across the region”.

Alongside the LAD scheme in the North East, E.ON is installing energy efficient heat pumps free to 250 homes² across Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, as part of a project funded by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). The project is designed to help increase the uptake of alternative heating solutions and explore how to overcome barriers to people adopting alternative heating solutions in place of more traditional gas boilers.

An air source heat pump works by extracting heat from the outside air to heat the home and hot water tank, in the same way a refrigerator extracts heat to keep the inside cool. Heat pumps are a renewable energy system, and unlike more traditional ways of heating, such as gas boilers, which accounts for around 29% of UK carbon emissions³, heat pumps use only a small amount of electricity to heat the home and provide hot water.

Councillor Nick Forbes, Leader of Newcastle City Council, said: “Newcastle has set out ambitious plans to be net zero by 2030 and the Council are proud to be leading the way in shaping a carbon neutral future for our city. It’s great that business partners across the City are signing up to this agenda.

"Innovative projects like this are a positive example of how small changes will help us achieve this goal whilst also improving our residents' everyday lives.

"Green jobs will play a huge role in Newcastle's recovery from the Covid pandemic and I am pleased this project has already provided opportunities for people across the city. I am looking forward to a cleaner, greener Newcastle and supporting more revolutionary projects that will benefit all our residents. "

To find out more information about the schemes available in the North East visit:

• Local Authority Delivery Scheme: visit eonenergy.com/green-homes-grant or email Greenhomesgrant@eonenergy.com
• Electrification of heat programme, interested homeowners should contact E.ON on 03332 024877 or email newcastleheatpumps@eonenergy.com to register their interest.

Notes to Editors:

• The Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery Scheme allows lower income homeowners to claim up to £10,000 of funding to carry out home improvements to increase their home's energy efficiency and reduce the amount of carbon dioxide it produces. Under the scheme, eligible households – with an annual income of lower than £30,000 or someone in the home receives benefits such as Universal Credit, Income Support, Disability Allowance and the home has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) energy efficiency rating of D, E, F or G – can apply for 100% of the costs of installing insulation, solar panels and low carbon heating in their homes, up to a maximum of £10,000.
• This is a time limited, volume restricted project with a maximum volume of installs available by property type / heat pump type, up to the total 250 installs available. An application is no guarantee that you will receive a heat pump and it will be subject to your property suitability based on a home survey and places within the project being available. It is at E.ON’s full discretion to choose the most suitable households from the applications received and surveys completed.
• https://www.theccc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/5CB-Infographic-FINAL-.pdf

L-R: Images show Lord Callanan; Michael Lewis; Adam Vrubleuskis; Colin Beadling

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