Westountry Energy Action aims to reduce the impact of climate change and fuel poverty and to support the economic regeneration of communities, through the development and delivery of sustainable energy policy and practice. It is a not for profit charitable business working with the public, private, and voluntary sectors to deliver action that will result in:

• the development of projects and partnerships leading to the sustainable use of energy,
• awareness raising and education about climate change and the sustainable use of energy,
• homes being adequately and affordably heated and
• influencing of local policy and strategy to ensure that the sustainable use of resources is incorporated into future development and practice.

To achieve this, WcEA runs the government funded Devon Energy Efficiency Advice Centre which provides free and impartial advice to all sectors of housing. It also provides domestic renewable energy advice and consultancy to individuals and organisations.

Other areas of work also include:

• the management and delivery of a variety of domestic energy efficiency schemes and projects in partnership with local authorities and housing associations, targeted at various housing sectors such as owner occupiers, private sector landlords and the social rented sector.
• influencing of local policy and strategy within government and other key organisations through ] the setting up of conferences and seminars, partnerships and networks and
• WcEA also offers a variety of training courses in the sustainable use of energy and school activity programmes.

Areas of expertise:

• domestic energy efficiency and renewable energy advice,
• energy efficiency scheme development and management,
• housing and affordable warmth,
• low carbon communities,
• training in sustainable energy use,
• energy education in schools,
• working with local government to influence local energy policy and strategy and
• research in domestic renewable energy technology.

Target audience:

• domestic energy users,
• SMEs,
• local authorities,
• local strategic partnerships,
• health sector,
• fuel suppliers and other energy organisations and
• community groups.