Centrica-owned energy utility British Gas has launched British Gas New Energy, a new business that will lead the company's drive to offer 'green,' low-carbon products and services to customers who want to manage their impact on climate change. The new unit will advise customers on how to make their homes and businesses greener and will supply products and services to facilitate this.
British Gas said that its new business initiatives will include the launch of a service providing energy performance certificates (EPCs), which provide energy efficiency ratings for buildings. Under new legislation, EPCs will be mandatory for consumers selling houses in the UK from June 1, 2007.
The new unit will also offer solar heating panels, providing hot water supplies to the home. British Gas said that, in addition, because of a new partnership between British Gas and certain local authorities, customers buying solar panels in some areas of the UK are eligible to earn a discount of up to GBP500 on their council tax.
British Gas said that the new unit will also extend the company’s range of green energy products, enabling customers to choose gas and electricity supplies that reduce the climate change impact of energy consumed by UK homes and businesses.
Commenting on the move, Geoff Slaughter, energy product manager for UK price comparison website uSwitch.com, said: The message coming through from consumers is absolutely clear – they are ready, willing and able to do their bit to help tackle climate change, but are sorely in need of a helping hand from suppliers. By establishing a new business to drive this, British Gas is flexing its green muscles and showing that that it is taking this issue seriously.
British Gas’ new business unit will add to a number of initiatives recently taken by the company to help combat climate change, including work to develop a next-generation fuel cell domestic boiler that produces both heat and electricity and could reduce household carbon emissions by up to 50%.