Highland Council and SSE Renewables join forces to combat fuel poverty
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It is hoped more households can be helped with an expanded grant scheme for energy saving home adapatations.
Scottish Government figures indicate 33 per cent of households in Highland are experiencing fuel poverty, compared to the national average of 24 per cent. Figures also estimate that 22 per cent of Highland households are facing extreme fuel poverty.
Highland Council has been delivering the Scottish Government’s Energy Efficient Scotland – Area Based Scheme for over nine years, which offers households the opportunity to benefit from grant-funded innovative, energy efficiency measures, which have the potential to improve living conditions.
The scheme has now received grant support from SSE Renewables Highland Sustainable Development Fund, which will provide additional funds to reduce or remove householder contributions for those in extreme fuel poverty.
The fund is part of the organisation’s commitment to the Scottish Government’s Good Practice Principals for Community Benefits from Onshore Wind. SSE re-invest part of the profits from wind farms back into local communities.
It has offered Highland Council £1m of grant funding to be spent over 2022/23 and 2023/24 with the option to extend funding to 2024/25 if necessary. The funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty.
The grant and new funding will be used to reduce/remove household contributions on a range of energy efficiency measures including: air source heat pump; cavity wall insulation; loft insulation; external wall insulation; and solar PV and battery.
Funding from Scottish Government grant covers the cost of the installation, in the most part, although some works may require a household contribution to meet the shortfall between installation cost and funding available. This is where the SSE Renewables Grant can help those experiencing extreme fuel poverty.
The Scottish Government grant is available for owner occupiers and private rented properties subject to eligibility and cannot be used to cover installation costs for social properties (either council or registered landlord).
The council is encouraging households to apply for its Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Scheme (EES:ABS) as part of plans to ease fuel poverty in the region.
Without EES:ABS there is currently no other long-term support to households in fuel poverty and those vulnerable to living with the effects of a cold home.
Council leader Raymond Bremner said: “Highland is experiencing some of the highest levels of fuel poverty in Scotland. It is crucial that we encourage as many people as possible to sign up to the Energy Efficient Scotland – Area Based Scheme to benefit from grant funding to carry out energy efficiency improvements to their homes, improving comfort levels and attempt to minimise the impact of rising fuel costs.
“We are delighted to announce the arrival of grant support from SSE Renewables which, through the area-based scheme, will help us deliver efficiency savings to those households most in need.”
Cllr Bremner also highlighted that the scheme is open to all owner occupier and privately rented properties who meet eligibility criteria and encouraged members of the public to make inquiries about the scheme.
He added: “One of the key issues we have faced to date is a lack of sign-ups for the scheme. We are encouraging local members to promote this scheme through their ward meetings to highlight its many benefits.”
He added: “On top of the financial savings the scheme also delivers significant carbon savings and enables householders to meet the challenges of climate change and improve properties energy efficiency rating in accordance with Scottish Government targets.”
Chairman of the Sustainable Development Fund, Lord Jack McConnell, said: “The Sustainable Development Fund is focused on creating lasting transformation in the Highlands. The £1 million investment in improving energy efficiency for Highland households is the largest donation made by the fund. The funding will help many vulnerable residents benefit from warm, sustainable homes for years to come.”
The programme, on average, has annual carbon savings of 20,897 tonnes (pre-COVID figure), making a significant contribution to a low carbon Highland.
Over the last nine years the scheme has leveraged around £34 million of external funding to the Highlands to deliver energy efficiency measures to over 3,100 privately owned and privately rented properties throughout the Highlands.
For details on how to sign up for the programme visit Highland Council’s dedicated webpage. Alternatively, you can email EES-ABS@highland.gov.uk for further information or telephone Home Energy Scotland for free on 0808 808 2282 for impartial energy advice, to discuss funding options currently available and assess your eligibility for the scheme.
