Affordable Energy Strategy
In 2005, Progress launched its new Affordable Energy Strategy, which has two main objectives:

• Progress C60, which aims to help reduce carbon emissions by 60 per cent
• Progress 2Ten, which aims to reduce fuel poverty for all tenants by 2010.

This will be rolled-out with the assistance of grant funding sourced via the Energy Saving Trust.

Progress C60
The main method of achieving this aim is through a scheme funded from the Energy Saving Trust's innovation programme. For example, the scheme aims to reduce carbon emissions in 13 semi-rural hard-to treat Airey properties (single-skin concrete panels on a concrete frame) by 60 per cent. These savings will be achieved by retrofitting measures to building fabric, heating systems and electrical energy use.

Energy consumption at Progress offices is also monitored to establish areas of high-energy use and measures are implemented to reduce consumption. We are also looking at ways of integrating energy efficiency measures or changing the specifications for internal and external refurbishment programmes in order to achieve higher standards of thermal comfort and higher SAP ratings in dwellings.

Progress 2Ten
In order to reduce fuel poverty and energy consumption by 2010, New Progress will continue with the delivery of the Energy Efficiency Commitment programme, which includes cavity wall and loft insulation. Other projects in the pipeline include:

• Solid Wall Insulation field trial to test a range of different insulation techniques for properties without cavity walls
• Investigation of a fully-controllable, energy effcient heating system for sheltered schemes, to incorporate sustainable energy technologies such as combined heat and power, and solar energy
• Maximising tenants' incomes by reducing card meters and encouraging tenants to pay by direct debit, as well as providing benefit entitlement checks and energy efficiency advice

New Progress Housing Association was also successful in gaining government funding to fit photovoltaic panels on its properties in Spring Gardens Leyland. The panels use daylight to make electricity. Whilst it doesn't produce enough electricity for all of the households' needs, it does mean considerable savings on tenants' fuel bills.