“New funding for fuel poverty and energy efficiency”:

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Categories: News

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced funding of £54.5 million to help tackle fuel poverty and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Speaking at the All Energy conference in Glasgow today, the First Minister launched the Route Map to an Energy Efficient Scotland, which outlines actions to ensure that over the next period to 2040, Scotland’s buildings will become warmer, greener and more efficient.

Commenting: Brendan O’Hara said:

“Annually in Scotland we spend around £2.5 billion heating and cooling buildings we use each day. It is crucial we focus on our energy strategy and climate plan and we can see from the First Ministers announcements today that we are on the right road to achieving a warmer, greener and more efficient ambition for Scotland.”

“The reality is that many of our buildings are inefficient and hard to heat, which increases energy bills and wastes money. Fuel Poverty is a serious issue faced by many in Argyll and Bute and I am delighted that the Scottish Government is ensuring that we tackle fuel poverty by helping those on low incomes, while also working to reduce greenhouse emissions and protecting our environment.”

The Route Map outlines action to ensure that by 2040, all homes are improved so they achieve an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of at least Band C.

Supported by the £54.4 million funding, landlords of privately rented homes will be required to achieve an Energy Performance Certificate rating of Band E from April 2020 at change of tenancy, and then Band D from 2022. All private rented properties will need to be EPC Band E by the end of March 2022 and Band D by the end of March 2025. This is aimed at ensuring that private tented tenants live in homes, which are warmer and more affordable to heat.

Funding will also support local authorities to expand their existing energy efficiency and fuel poverty programmes and it will continue to support building owners to develop local heat and energy efficiency strategies, as well as making funding available to social landlords to help install low carbon heating systems, such as air and ground source heat pumps.

Energy Efficient Scotland - Routemap exec summary - FINAL