As recently as 2012, coal provided 40% of the UK’s electricity, with around 40 coal mines extracting 17.1 million tonnes of coal, according to the Coal Action Network. Following multiple initiatives against coal mining over recent years, the UK was the first country in the world to announce the phase-out and closed the last coal mining plant on October 1, 2024.
This move is part of the wider effort to lower the country’s carbon emissions and decrease our reliance on fossil fuels. Major new policies are planned for 2025, and the government has already announced the creation of Great British Energy, a public energy company, that will invest in large-scale renewable energy projects.
SUPPORT AVAILABLE TO MAKE YOUR HOME MORE ENERGY-EFFICIENT
The government has already promised to insulate over 19 million homes over the next 10 years and to provide funding which will make the switch to energy-efficient solutions easier for homeowners. Some of the planned initiatives include:
Boiler Upgrade Scheme: This is a grant of up to £7,500 off the cost when you change your boiler to a more energy-efficient heat pump. It is available to homeowners across England and Wales and the upgrade has been proven to generate considerable savings on homeowners’ energy bills.
Great British Insulation Scheme According to the governmental ‘Energy Efficient Home’ initiative, loft insulation is one of the most straightforward and effective ways to save money on your energy bills, as a quarter of heat is lost through the roof of an uninsulated home. To encourage you to insulate your home, you may be able to get free or cheaper insulation under this scheme if you meet certain eligibility criteria.
There are more grants and funding schemes available as part of the wider governmental strategy, and YorEnergy will be able to give you practical advice on how to access them. There are also grants available to York residents specifically, and you can find more information about them on our ‘Grants’ page.
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