SCOTTISH and Southern Energy (SSE) are to inves in energy-saving measures for Western Isles households by injecting a further £250,000 and brokering a partnership which will safeguard jobs on the islands.
The partnership package, comprising SSE, the Scottish Government, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and local contractors, will complement the Scottish Government's Home Insulation Scheme for Harris and Lewis.
The SSE cash injection of £250,000 helps sa
feguard future work for the local insulation contractor, Stornoway based Tighean Innse Gall, and will provide the capacity for covering the entire group of islands.
Much of the funds will be targeted at those who are eligible under the Scottish Government's Energy Assistance Package which is aimed at households most in need.
The investment will be made available immediately and will fund energy efficiency work up to next April.
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is also injecting £70,000 into the scheme to ensure that those Priority Group customers receive insulation entirely free of charge.
Overall, it is envisaged that over 500 households will be offered loft and/or cavity wall insulation and other energy efficiency measures between now and next April as a direct result of this additional funding – and this is in addition to other houses that will benefit under the Home Insulation Scheme.
Typically energy efficiency measures of this kind could reduce household bills on the islands by over £150 per year.
Communities Minister Alex Neil said: "This is yet more welcome news for the Western Isles and we were pleased to have worked closely with Western Isles Council and SSE to make this happen.
"Offering households help with making their homes more energy efficient is a great way to help people keep more money in their pockets and cut their carbon emissions.
"That's why the Scottish Government is providing over £15 million for our Home Insulation Scheme to offer households free or discounted loft and cavity wall insulation."
