Thames Freeport has officially launched its Sustainable Construction Lab, marking the beginning of a coordinated effort to accelerate large-scale retrofitting and low-carbon construction projects in East London and South Essex.
The launch coincides with the start of retrofit works this week on homes in the Becontree Estate, located in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham. These initial projects are being carried out by Transform-ER and E.ON, in partnership with the local council and supply-chain providers.
The programme aims to address urgent challenges in the built environment. In 2022, England produced 63 million tonnes of construction and demolition waste, the highest amount reported since 2010. While there have been improvements in waste recovery rates, the increasing total waste and prevalence of inefficient homes in the region highlight the need for a more coordinated approach to retrofitting and construction delivery.
Transforming ambition into action
Thames Freeport Chair, Rt Hon. Ruth Kelly, stated, “The Sustainable Construction Lab is about turning ambition into action. We are starting with retrofitting because the need is immediate – warmer homes, lower bills, and new skilled jobs. The old model of construction is not progressing at the pace required by the country, but modern methods of construction can make a difference. Thames Freeport is uniquely positioned to bring together these innovations and help build the next generation of sustainable homes.”
A system-level approach to construction and retrofitting
The Sustainable Construction Lab is a collaboration between Rainmaking, Ramboll, Energiesprong UK, BE-ST, Tallarna, and E.ON, with support from the three Freeport local authorities.
The programme aims to:
– Retrofit the first neighbourhoods by April 2026
– Unlock up to £200 million in private investment for low-carbon construction
– Establish a regional marketplace for sustainable construction materials
– Introduce a new green construction qualification in partnership with FE providers
– Lay the foundations for a Sustainable Construction & Homes Innovation Centre within Thames Freeport
Partner quotes
Daniel Avery, Director of Rainmaking, expressed his excitement about working with Thames Freeport and their partners on building greener, faster, and more affordable homes. “We urgently need to build more and better homes and improve the comfort and efficiency of the homes we already have. We look forward to proving and scaling crucial new models that will benefit us all.”
Saurav Chaudhuri, Head of Innovation at E.ON UK, commented, “E.ON is redefining its relationship with homeowners by empowering them to play an active role in the energy revolution through innovative solutions that reduce energy demand. We are moving towards a more open and collaborative model that brings together partners, stakeholders, and end-users to create long-term value.”
He also mentioned the biggest barrier to adopting low-carbon home technology is cost and how E.ON Next Gen Home removes that hurdle by combining all equipment, installation, and energy costs into one simple monthly payment, making greener choices accessible to more people.
Emily Braham, Director of Strategy & Operations at Energiesprong UK, said, “Over the last two years, we have collaborated with 12 industry leaders to create a new delivery model for faster, smarter, and more affordable home energy upgrades at scale. The result is Transform-ER – a resident-focused approach designed for real-world delivery. We are excited to demonstrate it across the Thames Freeport region.”
Louise Rogers, Impact Manager for Housing & Manufacturing at BE-ST, commented, “BE-ST is proud to work alongside Thames Freeport and its partners to accelerate better, faster, and more affordable solutions for the built environment. This collaboration strengthens manufacturing capabilities, promotes the adoption of low-carbon products, and supports the creation of high-quality local jobs. The ambition shown by Thames Freeport is exactly what is needed to unlock sustainable economic growth in the long run.”
Claire Racine, UK Head of Sustainability for Buildings at Ramboll, stated, “Ramboll is delighted to partner with Thames Freeport in advancing their vision for sustainable construction. This collaboration brings together a network of companies committed to shaping the future of the built environment, construction, and retrofitting sectors. By contributing our multidisciplinary engineering expertise and sustainability knowledge, Ramboll will support the creation of an innovative Green Product Catalogue and provide practical solutions for the Built Environment Innovation Centre. We are thrilled to be part of such a forward-thinking initiative driving real progress towards greener, more sustainable construction.”
Stuart Rimmer, CEO of Thames Freeport, expressed his enthusiasm for the Sustainable Construction Lab, stating, “The Sustainable Construction Lab is precisely the kind of joined-up, practical innovation our region needs. No single provider, council, or contractor can deliver retrofitting or green construction at the required pace, but together, we can create a system that works. What excites me most is the opportunity this creates for people – new skills, new pathways into good work, and new industries rooted here in East London