DfE Energy Efficency Fund

In the face of rising energy costs, the Department for Education (DfE) recently announced £500m of funding to help schools and colleges across England make their buildings more energy efficient.

It is hoped this re-purposed funding from capital programme underspends will help to ‘futureproof’ institutions, though concerns had been expressed about the more-immediate effect of the existing capped-cost Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS), which has helped institutions meet rising costs, expiring in the spring.

The EBRS will be replaced by a newly-announced Energy Bill Discount Scheme (EBDS), as detailed here.

Estimations meanwhile suggest that, on average, an English primary school will receive around £16,000 from the DfE’s £500m Energy Efficiency Fund pot, with a secondary school handed approx. £32,000 and an FE college group circa £290,000, an influx primarily intended for fresh investment in energy efficiency.

With circumstances differing across the country, each institution will be able to choose exactly how and where their money is invested, with the Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan declaring: “We’re putting this cash in the hands of school and college leaders quickly, so they can decide what work is needed and so that our brilliant teachers can focus on teaching in a warm and safe environment”.

Payments were scheduled for December (schools) and January (colleges), while government suggestions for potential improvement works include new, improved heating controls, added insulation to prevent heat loss from piping and making the switch to energy efficient lighting.

CPC is pleased to offer a number of specific, compliant frameworks that can help institutions looking to make effective use of their Energy Efficiency Fund support, with the CPC Minor Works DPS allowing members to engage the services of qualified and experienced construction contractors, enabling the procurement of Doors & Windows, Electrical & Lighting, Cladding & Insulation, Internal Walls & Ceilings, as well as from more than 20 other categories.

Among CPC’s current frameworks of choice for potential energy efficiency enhancements are the Mechanical, Electrical and Building Fabric Maintenance agreement, as well as the Multifunctional Devices and Digital Transformation Solutions framework, where member institutions can call on genre expertise to procure more sustainable, contemporary and energy efficient technology.

Other frameworks for potential efficiency gains include Hardware and Peripherals Equipment, White Goods and Associated Electrical Appliances and the Estates and Facilities Professional Services DPS, while our audiovisual and ICT agreements could facilitate a reduced energy outlay by way of upgrades.

Member institutions interested in learning more about the services, suppliers and options available to them are encouraged to contact Contract Manager Peter McMullan via [email protected].

Meanwhile, it is worth remembering our sister brand Tenet Education Services offers the kind of personal ‘On Demand’ support institutions might find extremely helpful during their Energy Efficiency Fund spend process.

With a long-standing track record of one-off project success, the Tenet team can help run a robust, compliant tendering process that delivers choice and value for money, with friendly, knowledgeable procurement professionals stationed across the UK, ready to work with and for your own institution.

To explore further or to discuss other opportunities with which Tenet Education Services can be of assistance, contact [email protected] and one of the Tenet team will get back to you shortly.