- Cadent and Affordable Warmth Solutions (AWS) launch new gas connection scheme in Bracknell
- The project will enable nearly 500 hundred homes to enjoy a new energy efficient heating system which should deliver savings on energy bills
- New film showcases how Cadent and AWS are working to lift households out of fuel poverty
Britain may have been basking in one of the hottest summers in years but Cadent and AWS (Affordable Warmth Solutions) have been hard at work on a project which will help ensure people stay warm in winter without breaking the bank.
Work recently began on a £1.4million scheme to connect 498 homes to the gas network at Warfield Park in Bracknell.
The Park is one of Britain’s longest established residential park home estates but residents were struggling to keep their homes warm using heating systems powered by LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), which costs more than using a mains gas supply
However all that is set to change with Cadent, AWS and project partner Happy Energy providing every home with a free connection to the new gas mains network. Qualifying households will also have new energy efficient gas central heating systems installed or their existing systems converted, all at no extra cost to the residents.
Work on the project recently got underway and is due for completion in early 2019.
Leigh Page, Cadent Commercial Services Manager, said: “We’re very happy to be working with AWS and Warfield Park to deliver this scheme.
“With the new connection to our local gas network and the new energy efficient gas heating systems residents will be soon be able to enjoy a new economical and efficient way to heat their homes.”
Jeremy Nesbitt, Managing Director of AWS, said: “We’re delighted to be able to support the Park owners and residents of Warfield Park with this exciting scheme that is the largest of its type delivered by a Gas Distribution Company.
“Together with project partners Happy Energy and T K Gallagher we’ve already started connecting homes and the vast majority of properties at the park will have new (or converted) heating systems installed for this winter.
Earlier this summer Ofgem Chief Executive Dermot Nolan visited another Cadent/AWS project in Holden Close, Dagenham, to see for himself how the partnership is achieving big successes.
The first big community scheme of its kind in Cadent’s North London network the Dagenham project connected over 80 privately owned properties to the new gas mains network and provided them with a free economical gas heating systems, replacing more expensive electric heating systems
Affordable Warmth Solutions (AWS) is a Community Interest Company that assists qualifying homes by offering:
- New gas connections to those not currently connected to the Cadent gas distribution network; and
- Income maximisation, energy efficiency and tariff advice.
AWS was established in 2008 and Cadent set up its partnership with AWS under its previous trading name of National Grid Gas prior to Cadent being formed in 2017.
Since its inception the partnership has helped lift many thousands of households from fuel poverty.
In partnership with National Grid, AWS established the Warm Homes Fund that allows Local Authorities and Housing Associations to apply for funding to help address the challenges of fuel poverty. The deadline for applications for Round 2 of the Warm Homes Fund is September 28 2018. For more information on AWS and the fund visit
www.affordablewarmthsolutions.org.uk or call 0121 592 018.
Cadent is Britain’s largest gas distribution network for more information visit
www.cadentgas.com
To watch a short film about how the Cadent and AWS initiative in Dagenham go to
https://vimeo.com/285272536/b636cf1159
ENDS