The aim of the Energy Support Network is to increase the provision of energy advice, specifically around fuel poverty and smart energy.

Managed by the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE), the network will embrace a range of oganisations who already give advice or who are seeking to do so, and support them with access to training, the sharing of best practice, resources, networking opportunities and peer-to-peer support.

This project is made possible thanks to funding from National Grid‘s Grid for Good Energy Affordability Fund. It covers England and Wales and will run as a pilot until March 2026.

Better energy advice for vulnerable households

CSE’s head of advice, Karn Shah, said: “Vulnerable households need access to impartial energy advice –particularly advice that focusses on smart energy options such as smart tariffs and demand shifting, and on technologies such as solar PV, heat pumps and domestic batteries. The Energy Support Network will help make sure they get it.

“We will upskill members of the network by providing information, events, best practice and key resources. And we won’t just be working with the larger and more established organisations. We’ll also be bringing in small community organisations who are just starting to deliver this type of support.”

CSE is well placed to support organisations to provide high quality smart energy advice. We have extensive experience delivering large community grant and capacity building programmes as well as technical expertise from our Smart Energy Action Plans work, and understanding of market monitoring work from the Smart and Fair Programme.

The Energy Support Network will provide:

• Ongoing training and knowledge sessions.
• Networking sessions to encourage peer-to-peer support and the sharing of best practice.
• A newsletter, forum and resource hub for advice provider.

This will enable advice providers to grow in confidence in delivering advice and stay abreast of changes to the market and best practice.