Drax chooses eaga

RNS Number : 1778F

Drax Group PLC

07 January 2010

 



DRAX GROUP PLC

Symbol: DRX

7 January 2010

DRAX CHOOSES EAGA

Drax Group plc's operating subsidiary, Drax Power Limited ("Drax") has today announced that it has entered into an exclusive agreement with the UK's leading provider of household energy efficiency solutions, eaga plc ("eaga"), to provide services in connection with Drax's Community Energy Saving Programme ("CESP") obligation.

Announced by the Prime Minister, CESP will target households in specific low income areas across Great Britain to improve energy efficiency standards and permanently reduce fuel bills.  

Energy suppliers and power generators, such as Drax, are obliged to contribute to the programme by offering a range of energy efficiency solutions such as solid wall insulation, modern central heating systems and renewable technologies.  The companies' targets are defined in terms of a carbon emissions reduction obligation, with each of the qualifying energy efficiency measures attracting a certain 'carbon score'.

Adopting a whole house, house-by-house, street-by-street approach, Drax will work with eaga to develop community-based partnerships and promote energy efficiency solutions.  Under this partnership communities of up to 600 homes will be identified for help in CESP-eligible areas.  

Dorothy Thompson, Chief Executive of Drax said: "This is the first time that generators have had an obligation which links them directly with end consumers. Working with eaga means our obligation can be managed in a very efficient way in what is very unfamiliar territory for us. 

"With almost 20 years' experience of improving the energy efficiency of UK housing stock, we believe eaga is well placed to assist us in meeting our carbon emissions reduction obligation under CESP."

Drew Johnson, eaga Chief Executive added: "eaga is delighted to have been appointed by Drax as their chosen delivery partner for the CESP programme.  We look forward to working with them and the relevant local authorities and housing associations involved, to ensure the communities selected receive the maximum help possible; both to cut carbon emissions and save money on their fuel bills. 

"This is one of the first examples of CESP being put into practice and Drax has clearly taken a highly pro-active approach.  Our experience and delivery capacity of large scale energy efficiency programmes makes us an ideal partner."

Energy and Climate Change Minister, Joan Ruddock MP commented:

"I congratulate Drax in being so quick to develop its plans for CESP and I am pleased that it has chosen to work in partnership with eaga. eaga has a proven track record in delivering energy efficiency measures to households through the Government's Warm Front programme. The partnership that Drax and eaga have agreed is a good example of the innovative delivery methods I expect to see under CESP which will mean that many households will benefit from permanently reduced fuel bills during the new year and beyond."

For more information, please contact:

Melanie Wedgbury

Drax                                  01757 618381

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors

Drax Power Limited

• Drax Power Limited is the owner of Drax Power Station, the largest, cleanest and most efficient coal fired power station in the UK. The output capacity from the station's six generators is 4,000MW. At current output levels it supplies some 7% of the UK's electricity needs.

eaga plc

• eaga plc is a green support services and outsourcing company. It is also the UK's largest residential energy efficiency provider. 

• eaga was established in Newcastle in 1990 and operates across the UK and in the Republic of Ireland, India and Canada. It employs over 5,000 people.

• eaga works in partnership with central and local Government, all six major energy suppliers, local authorities, social housing providers and is increasing its share of the able-to-pay private market.

• Since its inception, eaga has made a positive difference to over 5 million disadvantaged households across the UK, by installing energy efficiency insulation and central heating. 

• eaga holds the contract to deliver the £1.5 billion Warm Front programme in England, the cornerstone of government's target to eliminate fuel poverty. 

• eaga was recently appointed by the BBC to deliver the Switchover Help Scheme to ensure eligible households can receive help making the switch from analogue to digital. 

• eaga is committed to co-ownership and is one of only a handful of UK organisations where every employee with over a year's service is entitled to a share in the success of the business.

• Since 2000, eaga has invested over £3.2 million in the independent eaga Partnership Charitable Trust which funds research into solutions to fuel poverty.

 

END

 

 

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