BLACKBURN is to host a green energy summit next week against the background of the cost of living crisis.

The event will take place at social landlord Together Housing's Prospect House headquarters.

The conference ‘Smart Social Housing: The Energy Innovation Exchange’ bring together decision makers from the energy and housing sectors on Thursday July 14.

The event, sponsored by energy metering and controls specialists Secure UK Ltd, boasts an expert line up of speakers, each covering a different housing energy challenge.

Named Regional Housing Association of the Year at the North West Energy Efficiency Awards, Together Housing has made major advances in the generation and management of energy in its homes.

It is a market leader in using in solar PV and battery storage, and is developing new ways of displaying energy data.

It will be represented by Patrick Berry, director of Together Net Zero the division of Together Housing Association that manages its carbon reduction strategy and renewable energy investments, and its lead data architect Christine Atkinson.

Nigel Banks of ilke Homes will break down how the modular home builder has recently launched the UK’s first energy bill-free homes, while Phil Steele, from Octopus Energy, will explain how the renewable energy group is seeking to revolutionise the domestic heating market.

Secure UK Ltd will expand on how their smart controls have delivered heat and energy savings for over 100 landlords.

Mr Berry said: “There has never been a more important time to talk energy efficiency, particularly in social housing, where landlords face a number of increasingly urgent challenges.

“Whereas the drive for net-zero carbon was more of a series of incremental goals over a number of years, spiralling energy prices combined with the cost of living crisis has made improving energy efficiency a priority today. It’s something that we simply can’t afford to ignore.

“With further energy price rises scheduled for October, millions of people are relying on the industry to share good ideas, and put the right plans in place.”

Behfar Abedinia, from Secure UK said: “The aim of energy efficiency should ultimately be about reduce energy bills and the carbon footprint of homes, and we hope that the Energy Efficiency Exchange will be a great way of accelerating people’s knowledge of good practice."