The UK think tank Policy Exchange has recently published a report titled, “Smarter, Greener, Cheaper – Joining up domestic energy efficiency policy”. The report looks at potential improvements to current energy policy to reduce energy waste in the UK domestic sector, and finds that:
1. International examples of energy efficiency programmes have delivered cost-effective alternatives to building new power generation or supplying more gas to heat homes. Studies of different energy efficiency programmes show costs range from £8 to £40 to save a MWh of electricity (see Figure ES1). This compares to around £80 to generate a MWh of electricity sing a gas-fired power station.
2. Such energy efficiency programmes offer a significantly cheaper way of reducing carbon emissions than some of the more expensive renewable and low carbon technologies that are currently subsidised in the UK.
3. Behavioural energy programmes, which encourage people to use less energy in their homes without installing any new equipment, are potentially even more cost-effective than other measures.
To download the report, click here.