Optimised RetroFit Programme (ORP) is a Welsh Government led whole house, pragmatic, approach to decarbonising existing homes across Wales.

The devolved government for Wales have notified SWIGA of a number of updates to the ORP programme guidance and have also informed us of a FREE online event to showcase the Welsh RetroFit & Built Environment Contractor Dashboard which may be of interest to any SWIGA member (full or associate) involved in the Welsh retrofit market.

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What is the Optimised RetroFit Programme (ORP)

The Optimised RetroFit (ORP) is a Welsh Government led whole house, pragmatic, approach to decarbonising existing homes. It is far more sophisticated and bespoke than previous schemes. It takes into account the fabric or materials homes are made from and the way we heat and store energy. It also takes into account how energy reaches our homes.

The objectives of Optimised Retrofit Programme are as follows:

1. To support social landlords to develop a strategy to align with the ‘Affordable Warmth and Decarbonisation’, elements of Welsh Housing Quality Standard 2023 
2. To support social landlords to approach the decarbonisation of homes enabling underpinning factors to be addressed such as skills, procurement, finance models and material selections
3. To support social landlords to innovate in their approach to measure in the decarbonising of their housing stock homes, adopting a risk appetite which matches the innovative and entrepreneurial activity required to decarbonise effectively and efficiently.
4. To support the development of appropriate approaches to decarbonising the private rented and owner occupier sectors.

It is open to Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) and local authorities (LAs) to install a variety of home decarbonisation measures in existing social housing stock.
 

ORP Phase 3

We are currently in ORP 3 (phase 3) which covers the financial years of 2022-2025, the main themes of the programme are: Affordable Warmth Decarbonisation and understanding the best pathway to better energy efficiency for that home and its residents.

An intention of ORP is to support the Welsh Housing Quality Standard 2023 as the Welsh Government and social landlords work towards establishing a new standard.

The proposed new standard encourages landlords to consider issues around affordable warmth and decarbonisation across their whole stock to produce a plan for each home undertaking retrofit.

• ORP embraces a test and learn approach to decarbonising homes, adopting a risk appetite which matches the innovative and entrepreneurial activity required to decarbonise effectively and efficiently.
• ORP supports approaches to the decarbonisation of homes which enables the wider necessary infrastructure to be addressed ensuring issues such as skills development, procurement, finance models, material selections and the foundational economy are all considered and developed.
• ORP underpins Welsh Governments ongoing development of retrofit policy and practice across all sectors. ORP seeks to understand the best value combination of fabric, space, water heating, energy, improvements for individual properties and set out a route to net zero for each home. This draws on the principles set out in the “Better Homes, Better Wales, Better World” report.

Optimised RetroFit Programme Updates

The full details of the Optimised RetroFit Programme can be found on the Welsh Government website: https://www.gov.wales/optimised-retrofit-programme

There are a number of related links attached to this page - we would like to bring your specific attention to those which have been updated in February 2025:

• Training & Skills Matrix
• Funded Projects
• Scheme Providers
• RetroFit Assessors/Coordinators

Optimised Retrofit Programme 3: guidance 2022 to 2025

The Welsh Government have published full guidance which has been produced to assist applicants submitting bids for funding under the Optimised Retrofit Programme (ORP). It has been developed to help inform the applicants about the type of retrofitting the programme aims to financially support.

To reflect the updates the ORP guidance has just been updated (in February 2025) - the revised document can be downloaded here: https://www.gov.wales/sites/default/files/pdf-versions/2025/2/1/1740424832/optimised-retrofit-programme-3-guidance-2022-2025.pdf

It is open to Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) and local authorities (LAs) to install a variety of home decarbonisation measures in existing social housing stock.
 

Business Wales Building Showcase - FREE Online event

SWIGA members who are currently involved or interested in finding out more about the Optimised Retrofit Programme may be interested to know that the Welsh Government have organised a Business Wales Building Showcase event in order to showcase the Dashboard:  Welsh RetroFit & Built Environment Contractor Dashboard and its role in bringing together buyers both end customer, as well as contractor buyers of products & services, along with Wales Business & Training Support and Accreditation Organisation such as TrustMark Scheme Providers.

The Dashboard forms the first part of the development of Wales accredited and certified supply chain & workforce required for products and services across the built environment, that also includes the 4 Utility Sectors Electric, Water, Gas, Digital. 

This online event takes place on Wednesday 12th March 2025 from13:00 to 14:00. It's a free event but you are require to register for it in advance - the details and booking form can be found at the link below:

     Information and Booking >>>