Thames Freeport’s Sustainable Construction Lab marks a major milestone as the first retrofit is completed on the Beacontree Estate.
Credit: Energiesprong UK
Thames Freeport launched its Sustainable Construction Lab in November 2025, setting in motion a coordinated programme to accelerate neighbourhood-scale retrofit and low-carbon construction across East London and South Essex. Just weeks later, the programme has reached a major milestone with the completion of the first retrofitted home, demonstrating how a collaborative approach can result in change at pace.
The retrofit, within the Beacontree Estate in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, has been delivered by Energiesprong UK, through the Transform-ER programme, the council and local supply chain. Alongside this, consortium partner E.ON is testing and deploying further novel solutions as part of the programme, with more to come shortly. The early results show measurable improvements, with residents experiencing the benefits immediately.
Credit: Energiesprong UK
A direct response to growing environmental pressures
In 2022, England generated 63 million tonnes of construction and demolition waste, the highest figure recorded since reporting began in 2010. While recovery rates have improved, rising total waste and the scale of inefficient homes across the region demonstrate the need for a more coordinated and scalable approach to retrofit and construction.
Connecting the built environment ecosystem
The Sustainable Construction Lab brings together Rainmaking, Ramboll, Energiesprong UK, Built Environment – Smarter Transformation, Tallarna and E.ON, supported by the Freeport local authorities. The programme aims to retrofit the first neighbourhoods by April 2026, unlock up to £200 million in private investment, establish a regional marketplace for sustainable materials, create a new green construction qualification and lay the foundations for a Sustainable Construction and Home Innovation Centre within Thames Freeport.
“The Sustainable Construction Lab is about turning ambition into delivery. We are starting with retrofit because the need is immediate. Warmer homes, lower bills and new skilled jobs. The old model is not delivering at the pace the country needs, but modern methods of construction can. Thames Freeport is uniquely positioned to bring those innovations together and help build the next generation of sustainable homes.”
- Thames Freeport Chair, Rt Hon. Ruth Kelly
Credit: Energiesprong UK
Demonstrating impact through the first completed home
Energiesprong UK is leading the retrofit workstream as part of the Sustainable Construction Lab, working with the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and partners. They are testing the Transform-ER retrofit model, supported by Innovate UK, in Beacontree.
The completion of the first home on the Beacontree Estate, the UK’s largest and first social housing estate, provides clear proof of what this integrated delivery approach can achieve. Using a kit-of-parts system, the home was upgraded from EPC D to a predicted EPC A in just four weeks.
Bow Tie Construction and Ultrapanel Building Technologies delivered integrated external wall insulation, battery storage, and a heat-pump-ready design, along with personalised improvements such as enhanced storage and an external water connection to support the resident’s daily life. The property now benefits from modern water heating technology that can reduce bills by up to 50 per cent, on-site solar generation, and prefabricated cladding that improves comfort and lowers heating demand.
This milestone demonstrates a repeatable and scalable model, planned to be extended to up to 50 additional homes by March 2026. The project is already generating new market demand, unlocking supply chain capacity and building confidence among inward investors. The combination of high-quality delivery, rapid installation and strong collaboration has resulted in a positive tenant experience.
Credit: Energiesprong UK
“Over the last two years, we have collaborated with twelve other industry leaders to create a new delivery model for faster, smarter and more affordable home energy upgrades at scale. Building on decades of experience, the result is Transform-ER. It is a game-changing approach that places residents at its heart and we are excited to demonstrate it across the Thames Freeport region.”
- Emily Braham, Director of Strategy and Operations at Energiesprong UK.
Turning ambition into delivery
The broader Thames Freeport Sustainable Construction Programme, led by Rainmaking, is bringing together a group of pioneering organisations, including Energiesprong UK, E.ON, Ramboll, Tallarna and BE-ST. The ambition is to create a sustainable construction ecosystem that strengthens long-term environmental and economic resilience, while improving the experience for local communities.
The Sustainable Construction Lab represents the kind of joined-up, practical innovation the region needs. No single provider, council or contractor can deliver retrofit or low-carbon construction at the pace required. Working together, however, makes a new system possible. The Lab will create opportunities for people with new skills and pathways into quality work and new industries rooted in East London and South Essex. It brings together global innovators and local capabilities, proving that the Thames Freeport region can lead the way in building warmer homes, stronger supply chains, and a low-carbon economy.