Havering Council Saves Nearly £1 Million on Energy Bills.

Havering Council has cut its energy costs by almost £949,000 for the year 2024/25 compared to 2023/24. This was achieved through smart buying and energy-saving measures. The savings mean lower bills and help the Council move towards its net zero emissions goals.

The Council buys electricity and gas through LASER, a public sector energy buying group. By locking in good prices and planning ahead, Havering has managed to keep costs down even as energy markets remain unpredictable.

Key Changes and Achievements:

• Lower bills: Electricity costs are down by £635,000 (20% reduction) and gas costs by £313,000 (23% reduction).
• Smart meters: Almost all Council buildings now have smart meters, which track energy use accurately and help spot problems early.
• Solar power: Ten Council sites already have solar panels, saving about £76,000 a year and reducing carbon emissions by 175 tonnes.
• Future solar plans: More solar panels will be installed at Central Depot, Romford Town Hall, and Upminster Library, bringing total savings to over £100,000 a year.
• LED lighting: Old lights are being replaced with energy-efficient LEDs, cutting lighting costs by more than 50%.

The Council will continue energy-saving projects in 2025–26 as part of its commitment to net zero and reducing fuel poverty for council tenants. This includes finishing smart meter installations, adding more solar panels, and rolling out LED lighting across Council buildings. The aim is to promote solar energy and move away from gas for heating and hot water.

Under the government-funded Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (SHF) Wave 3, Havering became the first London borough to complete the initial phase of improvements. These included external wall insulation, loft insulation, and enhanced ventilation.

Looking ahead, Havering Council has committed to an £8 million investment — including £2 million from national grant funding and £5 million from its own budget — to extend retrofit works across 205 more homes, aiming to bring them up to EPC C by 2030. This approach supports the Council’s long-term housing strategy, helps reduce fuel poverty, and advances local sustainability goals.

Councillor Natasha Summers, Cabinet Member for Housing Need and Climate Change, said:
“This is great news for Havering. We’re saving money and reducing our carbon footprint at the same time. These changes will benefit residents and the environment for years to come.”

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