Scottish government shells out £3m on energy schemes

Almost £3 million has been awarded by the Scottish government to green energy projects over the last 12 months in an attempt reduce fuel poverty. A total of 25 different energy schemes have benefitted from the funding, which was given as part of the government's £50 million Warm Home Fund.

The fund is designed to provide loans and grants that can help with the development and installation of renewable technologies. Aimed at housing associations and councils, it helps to reduce fuel cost, cut down on the number of households that suffer from fuel poverty and lower emissions.

One of the projects that has benefitted from funding is the West Whitlawburn Housing Co-operative, which received a loan worth £1.5 million. The money was put towards a project, costing £7.5 million overall, that is hoping to connect a renewable biomass boiler to 543 homes throughout Cambuslang. This will provide cheap, low emission community heating.

A further £500,000 was granted as a loan to Castlehill Housing Association to allow it to install biomass district heating for six housing complexes. The homes also benefitted from the installation of solar panels. West Highland Housing Association also used a loan of £400,000 to install district heating to 75 Dunbeg properties, providing cheap biomass-derived heat.

Margaret Burgess, housing minister for Scotland, said: "Rising heating bills are a real concern for households across Scotland and the Warm Homes Fund is a key part of what the Scottish government is doing to help.

"It is making a real difference to tenants of housing associations and councils, by helping their landlords develop renewable energy projects which cut energy bills this winter and for years ahead.

"Innovative green energy schemes like this can help households to heat their homes more cost effectively."

Funding from the Warm Homes Fund is available until March 2015, allowing more housing associations and councils to apply for grants and loans. The money can help more homes and businesses throughout Scotland benefit from cheaper energy and more efficient properties.