Twenty-two organisations have signed up to be first Green Deal providers in what Energy Minister Greg Barker hailed as 'a watershed moment'.
The organisations who have signed include big business, SMEs and a community group. Green Deal providers will be offering energy efficiency packages to consumers when the scheme launches later this year.
The Government said it would be working with the pioneers to ensure the move from testing into a managed launch in October works seamlessly and provides a good customer experience from day one.
Mr Barker said: 'The signing of this agreement between government and business pioneers represents a watershed moment in the development of the Green Deal.
'The commitment shown today highlights the opportunity organisations see in the Green Deal from community groups, SMEs to big business which only bodes well for the scheme's future success.
'We will be working with these organisations to ensure they can fulfil the potential they have demonstrated today and become the first to offer Green Deals.'
The organisations that have signed the agreement are:
Ampere GDP
Anglian Home Improvements
BritishEco
British Gas
CarbonLow Group
Carillion
Empower Community
Enact Energy
E.ON
Gentoo Group
Grafton Group
Insta Group
Keepmoat
Kingfisher
Mark Group
ReEnergise Finance
SIG plc
SSE
Stroma
Toriga Energy
Willmott Dixon Energy Services
Yorkshire Energy Services
In response to the signing Paul Sellars, chairman of renewable energy installer BritishEco said: 'We feel that the Green Deal is an essential part of the development of secure, affordable and low carbon energy in the UK. The Green Deal will make renewable and more efficient energy available to all homes, businesses, public sector and community properties. Everybody can in some way benefit. It is a very exciting proposal where all who use the Green Deal will benefit from lower energy costs. There are real long term gains.'
Siobonne Brewster, a director of Carillion Energy Services, said: 'Green Deal is a pioneering initiative which is set to transform the take-up of insulation, other energy efficiency measures and renewable technologies and to make the benefits of low carbon living and reduced energy costs affordable and accessible to millions of households and businesses across the UK.'
