New support scheme to reduce energy usage
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A new £4.5 million cashback incentive to help people install renewable and energy efficiency measures in their homes has been announced by the Scottish Government.
Homeowners who are currently in receipt of a selected list of benefits including pensions and disability support will be able to apply for 75 per cent cashback up to the value of £7500 towards the cost of a renewable heating system and a further 40 per cent cashback up to £6000 for energy efficiency measures.
Scotland’s Energy Minister, Paul Wheelhouse, said: “This new scheme is part of our ongoing work to support people to install renewable heat measures and the improve energy efficiency in homes across Scotland while we also seek to stimulate development of local supply chains.
“The Scottish Government already provides a substantial free advice and support service to Scottish households to support them to make the transition to renewable heat and improve energy efficiency in their homes.
“Through this new cashback incentive homeowners could receive up to £13,500 of Scottish Government support, helping them to improve energy efficiency in their homes, reduce energy usage and save money on their bills.
“This new scheme is part of our action to reduce emissions from heating our buildings and to support a green economic recovery from Covid-19 and I hope suitably qualified businesses are able to also pick up some valuable local work.
"Our wider package of work to support the recovery includes a £4 million renewable heat cashback scheme which opened to SMEs last week.”
The cashback offering for owners of domestic premises is an extension of the Home Energy Scotland loan scheme which offers interest free loans for those wishing to install renewable and energy efficiency measures in their homes.
Through the new offering, £4.5 million will be allocated across the new incentive to offer homeowners a 75 per cent cash back up to £7500 for renewable heat measures and an enhanced 40 per cent cashback for energy efficiency measures up to £6000.
Both incentives operate on a first-come-first-served basis until the end of financial year 2020/21.
Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin welcomed the news and said: “This is a fantastic new scheme encouraging people to install renewable heat measures.
“It will help to improve energy efficiency in homes across the north-east and will help to stimulate local supply chains.
“Importantly, as we aim to support the green economic recovery from COVID-19 this incentive will help support the appropriate businesses capable of carrying out the work.”
More information about the cashback grant scheme to encourage homeowners can be found on the Home Energy Scotland website at https://homeenergyscotland-advice.est.org.uk/fundingfinder/Schemes
More information about the SME loan scheme cashback, which launched last week, including how to apply, is available on the Zero Waste Scotland website.
