External funding is targeted at households classed as fuel and extreme fuel poor and is available Highland-wide.

Significant external grant funding is available to install energy efficiency measures which will:

• improve properties Energy Performance (EPC) rating
• reduce carbon footprint
• potentially reduce heating costs

Members at this week’s Climate Change Committee noted and welcomed the fact the council is continually reviewing external funding opportunities and working to maximise funding opportunities to support householders and explore the benefits from extensive upgrades to their homes (subject to eligibility and survey).

Chair of the Climate Change Committee, Cllr Karl Rosie, said: “External funding for domestic properties supports the delivery of energy efficiency measures to enable Highland households to reduce their carbon footprint and support the council in achieving net zero.”

He added: “Householder signup remains an issue for externally funded programmes in the region. One in three households in Scotland are in fuel poverty, this is across all tenures. Although funding is available to support those meeting eligibility requirements, there continue to be households falling through the cracks.

“The council must look at all external funding opportunities available to deliver energy efficiency measures to private and social properties.”

Cllr Rosie added: “It is pleasing to note that the team continues to work with the Housing section, seeking opportunities to align the delivery of the EES:ABS programme and ECO4 funding with Housing Capital plans.”

External funding is available from:

• Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Scheme (EES:ABS)
• SSE Renewable grants
• Energy Company Obligation (ECO4)
• ECO4 Flexible eligibility (ECO4 Flex) and;
• Great British Insulation Scheme Flexible eligibility (GBIS Flex).