How E.ON’s Green Funding Solutions team is transforming homes and improving lives across Wales

Here, we speak to Cerys Williams, our Regional Business Development Manager for Wales, about how she and the Green Funding Solutions team are improving homes for real people across Wales, partnering directly with the social housing sector to improve existing housing stock. Here’s what she told us:

“Now, the term “improvements” can mean a lot of things when it comes to energy efficiency, and for E.ON, it’s everything from insulating draughty walls to replacing old gas boilers with modern, efficient heat pumps.

“The approach we take is anything but generic – we’re constantly collaborating with social landlords, working to understand what each organisation is aiming for. Is the goal to slash residents’ energy bills? Or maybe to bump up the SAP rating (that’s the Standard Assessment Procedure for energy performance) of their homes? Or both? No matter what the primary ambition is, E.ON is designing bespoke programmes of works that fit the landlord’s budget and the needs of their residents.”

Being only a few months into her role and new to E.ON, when asked about her first impressions, Cerys’ answer was brimming with enthusiasm. “Phenomenal. It’s not just hype or PR spin – the testimonials from residents we’ve helped through Green Funding Solutions speak volumes. People are feeling the impact of energy efficiency improvements in tangible ways: warmer homes, lower bills, and homes that just feel better and more comfortable to live in.

“Before joining E.ON, I had a sense of the company’s positive reputation, but now, I see it’s only the tip of the iceberg. The reality is that E.ON is relentlessly progressive and innovative, always pushing for better outcomes. And working in this environment feels deeply rewarding.”

Making homes more efficient isn’t without its challenges, and we asked Cerys what the main challenges are in Wales. “Did you know there are around 240,000 social homes across 31 registered social landlords in 22 local authorities in Wales? That’s a massive number, but Wales can’t always take advantage of the same economies of scale as England. With fewer opportunities, skills shortages become more pronounced, making it harder to get the right people for the job.

“And then there’s the housing stock itself. Welsh homes are some of the oldest in the UK, with a huge variety of types, many of which are “hard to treat.” Over a quarter of homes were built before 1919. That means a lot of properties have quirks and complications – old stone walls, unique layouts, challenging details – which makes upgrading them a real technical puzzle.”

So, how does one prepare for the complexities of making homes more efficient? “Collaboration,” says Cerys, who has years of experience working with the social housing sector and private landlords to highlight the importance of healthier, more affordable homes. Cerys’ previous roles partnering with private organisations, universities and industry bodies like the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors help her to, in her own words “approach retrofit projects with a multifaceted perspective – understanding the technical, financial, and human elements all at once.”

What’s most rewarding about this role? “Seeing families truly benefit from the installed measures. Insulation may not look glamorous, but its effects are profound – a warmer, healthier home where the kids sleep better and do better in school, and where the family isn’t as vulnerable to illness during colder months. It’s a powerful reminder that our work isn’t just about numbers on a spreadsheet; it’s about improving people’s lives.”

Of course, no journey worth taking is without obstacles. Cerys admits one challenge is curbing her own enthusiasm. “Rome wasn’t built in a day, and the UK won’t be retrofitted overnight. This transformation takes time and careful planning, and while progress might sometimes feel slower than we’d like, it’s crucial to map the journey wisely. Getting it wrong simply isn’t an option.”

When asked for advice for those entering the energy sector and starting out on a green career, Cerys told us: “There’s a role for everyone in the sustainability movement. Whether you’re a people person like me, or more technically minded – an engineer, data scientist, software developer, architect, marketer – there’s a place for you to contribute to the green agenda and to help the transition to a new, cleaner, fairer energy world.

“And E.ON isn’t just focused on delivering high-quality retrofit solutions at scale – we’re also nurturing a robust supply chain for the future. That means investing in sustainability skills, offering training and apprenticeships, and supporting the next generation of green professionals. On top of that, E.ON is committed to innovative infrastructure, powering our transition to renewable energy. I find my role at E.ON so far to be exciting, diverse and rewarding – and I can’t wait to see what the future holds, both for me personally but also as our company works towards a cleaner energy future for all.”

E.ON’s mission goes beyond saving energy or lowering bills. It’s about people – families, communities, and futures, and by making homes more efficient and comfortable, we’re helping ensure everyone can live more comfortably, affordably, and sustainably.

About Green Funding Solutions

E.ON’s Green Funding Solutions team manages domestic retrofit programmes in collaboration with local authorities, housing associations, and government partners. They handle everything from securing funding to overseeing installations, ensuring each project runs smoothly and makes a significant impact on residents.

To find out more, anyone can visit E.ON’s Grant Finder to see what grants they may be eligible for.