Procast Group has started a £5.2 million energy efficiency programme across Westmorland and Furness, aimed at tackling fuel poverty and reducing carbon emissions in some of Cumbria’s most vulnerable households. The contract forms a primary component of a wider £11.8 million regional initiative funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) through the Warm Homes Local Grant.

The Hamilton-based contractor will deliver comprehensive retrofits to approximately 420 homes currently rated below energy efficiency band C. The works include the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, air-source heat pumps, and high-specification insulation. By upgrading these properties to an EPC C standard or better, the project supports the UK’s statutory target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

The programme is being delivered under strict PAS2035 and PAS2030 standards, providing a regulated, end-to-end service from initial assessment to final handover. Beyond the technical upgrades, Procast Group has committed to regional social value initiatives, including creating local apprenticeship opportunities and funding training for new domestic energy assessors to bolster the green skills sector in the North.

Tracey McKenna, Renewable Energy Project Manager at Procast Group, said: “This work is an important step forward for us as a business and for the communities we serve. Rising energy costs and the need to decarbonise our homes make this work more urgent than ever. We’re proud to partner with Westmorland & Furness Council to deliver high-quality retrofits that will make a real difference for the community.”