Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
This Commons Library briefing paper provides historical background information on the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme.
Information on recent changes to the ECO scheme and current eligibility criteria can be found in the Library Briefing Paper Help with energy efficiency, heating and renewable energy in homes.
SummaryThe Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a Government energy efficiency scheme for low income and vulnerable energy customers which aims to reduce energy bills and carbon emissions. The scheme is supplier led and paid for by a levy on customer bills.
ECO has operated since 2013 in a number of iterations. The current scheme (ECO3) is scheduled to run until March 2022; ECO is set to run until at least 2028.
ECO has met its targets, and almost 2.7m insulation, heating and other measures have been delivered since ECO began in 2013. However, ECO’s budget has been reduced relative to previous schemes and the number of installations has fallen.