£2m funding to boost energy efficiency of homes and businesses

Households and businesses are to benefit from more than £2 million of funding to help use energy more efficiently.

The Scottish Government has given the money to 15 councils to fund projects that will support homeowners and businesses installing energy efficiency measures as part of the new Energy Efficient Scotland programme.

The funding will also help local authorities develop Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies, a new tool to allow councils to identify local opportunities for energy efficiency improvements and heat decarbonisation.

Energy minister Paul Wheelhouse said: “The 15 projects we are supporting - from Shetland to the Borders - will have a really positive impact for the people of Scotland by helping provide warmer homes, more competitive businesses and improving health outcomes, while boosting local economies and delivering on our wider programme, which will see around £146m of Scottish Government funding invested in the current year and £500m spent over this term of the Scottish Parliament.

“Energy Efficient Scotland will make a lasting difference to reducing the level of fuel poverty and to tackling climate change in Scotland.

“There will be challenges and opportunities in transforming Scotland’s homes and buildings to be warmer, greener and more energy efficient, and so we are testing various approaches to drive further action on energy efficiency during the programme’s transition phase.

“This includes how best to engage with consumers, communities and Scotland’s businesses on this important issue, as demonstrated by the innovative project here in Peebles which, with this announcement of new funding, will now be extended to cover the wider Tweeddale area.

“Local authorities are key and valued partners in delivering Energy Efficient Scotland and the funding announced today also delivers on our commitment to councils that we will support them in the development of Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies.

“That is why I am also very pleased to announce that we are today launching a further call for applications for the Energy Efficient Scotland Transition Programme as we look to continue to support these vital projects.”

Funding Breakdown:

Local Authority

Project

Clackmannanshire

Energy Efficiency Support project in Dollar area.

City of Edinburgh

Energy Efficiency Support project in City Centre and Old Town areas.

East Lothian

Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy (LHEES) pilot project in Dunbar, Haddington and North Berwick area.

Falkirk

Falkirk-wide LHEES pilot project.

Fife

Energy Efficiency Support project in Burntisland area and an LHEES pilot project in Levenmouth area.

Glasgow City

Energy Efficiency Support project in Kelvindale, Broomhill, Jordanhill, Kings Park and Muirend areas.

Highland

Highland-wide Energy Efficiency Support project.

Inverclyde

Energy Efficiency Support project in Greenock West End area.

Midlothian

Energy Efficiency Support project in Penicuik area and Midlothian-wide LHEES pilot project.

North Lanarkshire

LHEES pilot project in Motherwell and Wishaw areas.

Orkney

Orkney-wide LHEES pilot project.

Renfrewshire

Energy Efficiency Support project in the estate of Lochfield within Paisley.

Scottish Borders

Extension of existing Energy Efficient Scotland project into Tweeddale area.

Shetland

Shetland- Energy Efficiency Support project.

South Ayrshire

Energy Efficiency Support project in Alloway and Symington.

The Scottish Government is now inviting applications for further funding.