£50m green energy scheme announced

TENS of millions of pounds are to be spent on green energy projects to help heat homes across Scotland, the housing minister Margaret Burgess has announced today.

The minister said that two pilot schemes in Glasgow and the Highlands will be the first to be benefit from the Warm Homes Fund, which will hand out £50 million.

West Whitlawburn Housing Cooperative in Glasgow and West Highland Housing Association in Oban will both receive assistance for biomass heating schemes, helping more than 550 households to heat their homes more cost effectively.

Councils and housing associations applying for a share of the fund will be expected to use any income generated from their schemes to improve the energy efficiency of their existing housing stock.

Mrs Burgess said: “Rising heating bills are a real concern for households across Scotland. The Warm Homes Fund is a key part of what the Scottish Government is doing to help.

“It will make a real difference to those struggling to make ends meet – helping to cut energy bills this winter and for years ahead.”