Launch of new community collaborations to fight fuel poverty

​Repowering London and CREW Energy launched new partnerships yesterday with SGN, the
regional gas distribution network, to fight fuel poverty in South London. The launch event
in Clapham saw community stakeholders come together to talk about ideas and
opportunities for working together to best support residents not only now, but as we head
into winter.

While energy prices have come down since their peak in early 2023, National Energy
Action (NEA) figures from October 2023 show that there are still 6.5 million UK
households living in fuel poverty. Both Repowering London and CREW Energy are
community energy organisations with long track records of supporting the people in their
communities who are struggling with their energy bills. Both organisations are skilled in
working with people who may have been underserved due to the barriers they may face
to accessing help, such as language and cultural differences.

Under the new partnerships, thousands of residents in South London will
receive a combination of energy advice, energy efficiency home visits, emergency fuel
vouchers, and carbon monoxide detectors to help them stay safe and warm at home.

Repowering London and CREW Energy will also be providing training for frontline
workers on how they can identify and support people who are struggling with their energy bills. They will also be working to identify people eligible for energy efficiency schemes
and helping eligible customers sign up to the Priority Services Register.

Afsheen Kabir Rashid, CEO of Repowering London, said “As a community energy
organisation, Repowering London is working to build a clean, local and affordable energy
future for everyone. This partnership with SGN will enable us to support Lambeth residents
who are struggling with their energy costs today, while building community capacity for
longer-term solutions – to ultimately provide lower-cost energy, create warmer and healthier
homes, reduce urban health deficits and end fuel poverty.” 

Toby Costin, Director at CREW Energy, said "CREW Energy welcomes SGN's support to
deliver energy advice to residents in SW London. This vital service provides residents in
Wandsworth, Richmond, Merton and Kingston with support through events, 1-1 sessions,
home visits and telephone advice to reduce costs, cut carbon and increase comfort in
their homes. SGN has encouraged CREW to innovate our programme and we are
particularly excited about our new EPC checking service which can highlight
underperforming properties and allow residents to access grants that would otherwise be
unattainable."

Kerry Potter, Group Social Impact and Vulnerability Manager from SGN, said “We’re
committed to keeping our communities safe and warm and by working in a joined-up way
with CREW Energy and Repowering London, we’re able to tap into their community
expertise to reach those who are really struggling and provide much needed energy
safeguarding support, not just for today but for the long term. Through building strong
connections, we can help vulnerable households get much needed help.”