House builder strikes deal with Octopus Energy to deliver ‘zero bills’ on all new developments

The deal with Octopus, signed at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool last week, will see the house builder submit plans for another 1,350-home zero-bills development in West Sussex.

Octopus aims to create 100,000 zero-bill homes by 2030. Thakeham currently has a land portfolio of 45,000 homes, including several new towns and villages.

Greg Jackson, founder of Octopus Energy, said: “This is a huge step forward for us in making zero bills the new norm. By teaming up with Thakeham, we’re creating homes that cost nothing to run while also making a significant dent in the UK’s carbon footprint. This partnership brings us closer to a future where energy bills are history.”

Rob Boughton, founder and chief executive of Thakeham, said: “Low-carbon living isn’t an aspiration – it can be achieved today.

“With the government committing to building 1.5 million homes and half of our housing for 2050 not built yet, we have the opportunity to set a new benchmark for sustainable living.

“Strengthening our partnership with Octopus Energy will move us closer to making energy bills a thing of the past for our communities, while also playing a vital role in addressing the housing supply crisis.”

Earlier this month, Octopus unveiled a modular home created by Wirral-based Starship Group which was placed outside the Liverpool Convention Centre for the Housing Community Summit and Labour Party Conference. These types of homes would normally come with a 10-year guarantee from Octopus, ensuring residents do not receive an energy bill.

The same week, Liverpool City Region (LCR) mayor Steve Rotheram launched a scheme for the area to become a centre of excellence for offsite construction.

The ‘Future Homes LCR’ scheme, a public-private alliance that aims to accelerate the development of ultra low-carbon housing across the region.

The initiative brings together local experts in modular housing construction and national suppliers to support councils and social housing providers in addressing both housing shortages and labour challenges.

It is hoped the alliance will help the LCR meet its target of building 83,000 new homes by 2040.