The Welsh Government announced the Green Homes Wales pilot scheme on 17 October 2024, run in conjunction with the Development Bank of Wales. Jayne Bryant MS, Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, set out the scheme in a written statement, saying it will help households across Wales to implement energy and carbon-saving measures, which can lower both energy consumption and energy bills1.
Under the pilot, homeowners in Wales can access interest-free loans to decarbonise their homes and make them use less energy1. Homeowners can also be funded to get specialist advice from a retrofit co-ordinator, to help decide which type of decarbonisation technology works for their home. The statement says participants will be supported to access existing funding schemes such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and targeted grant funding1.
Eligible works may include the installation of an air source heat pump, external wall insulation and smart home energy systems, according to the statement1. The Welsh Government describes the pilot as continuing its test and learn approach to decarbonisation, and says the launch signals a commitment to decarbonise homes across all tenures and to encourage the uptake of low carbon heating choices1.
"Through this scheme homeowners in Wales can access interest-free loans to decarbonise their homes and make them use less energy."
The statement does not give the size of the loans, the interest rate treatment beyond the description of interest-free, the total funding available, or the number of homes expected to take part. It also does not set out eligibility criteria beyond referring to homeowners in Wales, or state how long the pilot will run. None of these details has been reported in the statement1.
| Element | Detail given |
|---|---|
| Loans | Interest-free, for homeowners in Wales |
| Advice | Funded retrofit co-ordinator advice |
| Eligible works cited | Air source heat pump, external wall insulation, smart home energy systems |
| Signposting | Boiler Upgrade Scheme and targeted grant funding |
Why it matters for households
For a household in Wales, the pilot adds a route to fund work that reduces how much energy a home uses, rather than only changing how it is supplied. Interest-free borrowing spreads the upfront cost of measures such as insulation or a heat pump, which are typically paid for at installation while the savings arrive over later years. Funded retrofit advice addresses a common barrier: deciding which measure suits a particular property, since the right choice depends on the building's construction, its current heating system and its insulation. The statement links the scheme to existing support, so a household may combine the loan with grant funding rather than treating them as alternatives; how that stacking works in practice is not set out in the statement1. The Welsh Government also says the scheme will support the market to develop and strengthen local supply chains1.
What happens next
The statement gives no closing date, application deadline or review point for the pilot. It directs anyone interested in applying to free impartial advice through the Nest helpline on 0808 808 2244, open Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm, excluding bank holidays, or to the Green Homes Wales page hosted by the Development Bank of Wales1. Further detail on eligibility, loan amounts and how the scheme interacts with the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and other home energy grants in Wales has not been reported1.