This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Renewable energy grants
22/12/2003
Scottish householders are being urged to save money on
their energy bills by taking advantage of home renewable
energy grants.
Executive funding of £2.3 million is still available
under the Scottish Community and Householder Renewables
Initiative (SCHRI).
SCHRI funding can be used by householders and community
groups to install small scale renewable energy schemes,
such as hydro, wind, solar water, heat pumps and solar
power.
Deputy Enterprise Minister Lewis Macdonald said that he
had seen for himself the benefits of renewable energy when
he visited a home in Arbroath, which has installed solar
water heating allowing them to save up to 50 per cent on
their electricity bills.
The home is part of a £98,860 pilot scheme, including
SCHRI funding of £62,680, which will cover a number of
Angus Council houses.
Mr Macdonald said:
"Renewable energy is not just about large-scale schemes
- it can form part of people's everyday lives.
"More money tends to be spent on energy bills at this
time of year - these SCHRI grants can help households make
savings.
"There has already been great interest in this scheme
across Scotland. The remaining £2.3 million funding means
that many more households and community groups can benefit
from this initiative."
Angus Council Housing convener Frank Ellis said:
"We are monitoring this pilot project in Arbroath to
measure the effectiveness of the solar powered system and
work out the level of savings being made. We are confident
that the results will inspire others, those in their own
homes and private landlords, to think about using renewable
energy sources in their own properties."
The Scottish Community and Householder Renewables
Initiative was launched in June 2002. The grant scheme
element was launched on 14 January 2002.
Households can get 30 per cent of the capital costs of
installing the system, up to £4000. Community groups are
eligible for capital grants of up to £100,000, and up to
£10,000 funding for a feasibility study.
The grant scheme made £3.7 million available until
2004-05 - £1.4 million of this has so far been
allocated.
Householders and community groups in the Highlands can
access information on SCHRI from Highlands and Islands
Enterprise, and from the Energy Savings Trust in the rest
of Scotland.