Havering Council Cuts Energy Bills by £950,000 with Solar, LEDs

Key Points

• Havering Council reports a total reduction in energy costs of nearly £950,000 for the 2024/25 financial year.
• Electricity costs dropped by £635,000, representing a 20 per cent reduction compared to the previous year.
• Gas costs decreased by £313,000, a 23 per cent fall from last year.
• Savings achieved through energy-saving upgrades, smart purchasing via LASER energy buying group, and sustainability initiatives tied to net zero ambitions.
• Key projects include smart meters installed across nearly all council buildings for real-time energy tracking.
• Ten council sites already equipped with solar panels, generating annual savings of about £76,000 and reducing carbon emissions by 175 tonnes.
• Future solar installations planned for Central Depot, Romford Town Hall, and Upminster Library, with projected solar savings exceeding £100,000 per year.
• LED lighting replacements anticipated to halve lighting costs across facilities.
• Additional 2025/26 plans involve shifting from gas to electric heating and expanding solar power.
• Under government’s Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (SHF) Wave 3, Havering became the first London borough to complete initial improvements like external and loft insulation plus upgraded ventilation.
• £8 million pledged for retrofitting 205 council homes to EPC C standards by 2030, including £2 million from national grants and £5 million from council budget.
• Initiatives support wider sustainability strategy, aiming to cut fuel poverty for tenants while advancing climate goals.
• Natasha Summers, cabinet member for housing need and climate change, hailed the results as benefiting both residents and the environment long-term.
• Achievements made despite challenging market conditions through strategic partnerships and efficiency measures.

Havering, East London (East London Times) January 22, 2026 – Havering Council has achieved a substantial cut in its energy bills, saving almost £950,000 in the 2024/25 financial year through a combination of efficiency upgrades, astute procurement, and sustainability efforts aligned with its net zero targets.

What Savings Did Havering Council Achieve?

The council detailed precise reductions in its energy expenditure. Electricity costs fell by £635,000, marking a 20 per cent decrease from the prior year, while gas bills dropped by £313,000, a 23 per cent reduction. These figures represent the combined impact of targeted interventions across council operations.

Havering attributes the overall £950,000 saving to a multifaceted approach, including partnerships with LASER, a public sector energy buying consortium. By securing favourable rates and forward-planning purchases amid volatile markets, the council mitigated external pressures effectively.

How Were These Energy Savings Accomplished?

Strategic procurement played a pivotal role, with Havering leveraging LASER to lock in competitive prices. Concurrently, physical upgrades enhanced efficiency. Smart meters now operate in nearly all council buildings, enabling precise monitoring of usage patterns and early detection of inefficiencies.

As reported across local outlets covering the announcement, these measures ensured savings persisted despite broader economic challenges in energy pricing.

What Role Did Solar Panels Play?

Solar power emerged as a cornerstone of Havering’s strategy. Ten sites already host panels, yielding annual savings of approximately £76,000 while slashing carbon emissions by 175 tonnes. This renewable shift underscores the council’s commitment to sustainable energy.

Further expansions target Central Depot, Romford Town Hall, and Upminster Library. Once complete, solar initiatives are forecast to deliver over £100,000 in yearly savings, amplifying both financial and environmental gains.

Why Upgrade to LED Lighting and Other Efficiency Measures?

Outdated lighting systems across facilities are slated for replacement with LEDs, projected to reduce lighting expenses by more than 50 per cent. This upgrade forms part of broader building retrofits prioritising low-energy alternatives.

The council plans to accelerate these efforts into 2025/26, including a phased transition from gas to electric heating systems. Expanded solar deployment will further bolster efficiency, building directly on current successes.

What Is Natasha Summers’ View on the Savings?

Natasha Summers, cabinet member for housing need and climate change, described the outcome as transformative.

“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,”

she stated in the official release.

Her comments, echoed in council communications, highlight the dual advantages of cost control and ecological responsibility.

How Does LASER Partnership Aid Havering?

Collaboration with LASER proved instrumental. As a specialist public sector buying group, LASER negotiates bulk energy deals, shielding members like Havering from market fluctuations. This partnership enabled proactive price locking and demand forecasting.

Despite “challenging market conditions,” as noted in council statements, such alliances allowed significant bill reductions without compromising service delivery.

What Social Housing Improvements Were Made?

Under the government’s Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (SHF) Wave 3, Havering led as the first London borough to finalise initial upgrades. These encompassed external wall insulation, loft insulation, and enhanced ventilation systems in targeted properties.

Such interventions directly tackle fuel poverty, improving warmth and efficiency for vulnerable tenants.

What Future Investments Are Planned for Homes?

Havering committed £8 million to elevate 205 council homes to EPC C standards by 2030. This funding splits as £2 million from national grants and £5 million from internal resources, with the balance supporting implementation.

These retrofits integrate insulation, heating upgrades, and renewables, aligning with statutory decarbonisation mandates.

How Do These Efforts Fit Net Zero Ambitions?

The energy savings form a pillar of Havering’s overarching sustainability strategy. By curbing emissions and costs simultaneously, the council advances toward net zero while easing financial strains on public services.

Projects like solar expansion and LED rollouts exemplify practical steps, with social housing upgrades extending benefits to residents facing fuel poverty.

What Challenges Were Overcome?

Volatile energy markets posed hurdles, yet Havering’s forward-thinking prevailed. Smart meters facilitated data-driven adjustments, while LASER mitigated price spikes. Solar and efficiency gains provided insulation against external volatility.

Why Focus on Carbon Footprint Reduction?

Beyond finances, the initiatives prioritised emissions cuts. Solar panels alone offset 175 tonnes of CO2 yearly, with LEDs and heating shifts promising further declines. This holistic approach safeguards the environment alongside budgets.

How Will 2025/26 Build on These Gains?

Looking ahead, Havering eyes intensified efforts. Gas-to-electric transitions, additional solar sites, and efficiency audits headline plans. These aim to surpass 2024/25 benchmarks, embedding sustainability deeper into operations.

What Broader Impact on Residents?

Savings free resources for frontline services, while home retrofits combat fuel poverty. Tenants gain warmer, cheaper homes, and the community benefits from a greener council footprint. Natasha Summers emphasised enduring resident advantages.

Implications for Other Councils?

Havering’s model—blending procurement savvy, tech upgrades, and grants—offers a blueprint. LASER access and SHF funds enabled scale, suggesting replicability for peers pursuing net zero.