Product category:
Building Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
News Release from: Energy Saving Trust (EST) | Subject: Public sSector Energy Efficient Projects
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 02 September 2004
Over £16m For Energy Efficient
Projects
The growing demand for community eco-heating schemes has generated the largest ever grant allocation for projects of this kind to date.
The Government's energy saving targets were given a huge boost today as over £16 million of grant funding was approved to help launch eco-friendly, community heating projects owned by local authorities, housing associations and universities across the country This is the largest ever Government funding round awarded for projects of this kind to date
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 18 Jul 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
New Portal For Free Energy Efficiency Advice
A new website packed with free technical information and online tools has been launched by the Energy Saving Trust to help the building profession become more energy efficient.
EST Publishes 'Whole House Specification'
Energy efficiency specifications for new housing is the topic of the latest guide from the Energy Saving Trust (EST).
The results of this latest funding round, announced today by the Energy Saving Trust (EST) and Carbon Trust, will benefit households, including those suffering from fuel poverty, and reduce carbon emissions, helping the UK meet its environmental targets and contributing to a cleaner Britain.
Grants will help fund community heating schemes under the Government's £50 million Community Energy programme.
Community heating substantially reduces energy bills and combats both greenhouse gases and fuel poverty by using a heat network supplying more than one building or customer.
Further reading
Seminars Power Drive For Housing Renewable Energy
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) UK-wide seminars encourage architects, local authority officers and other professionals to integrate renewable energy sources into new and existing dwellings.
Clear View On Windows
The benefits of double glazing are made clear in the latest guide to be published by the Energy Saving Trust (EST) entitled: Benefits of Best Practice, Windows.
Energy Saving Trust Aims For Zero-Emission Housing
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) wants Government to focus on zero-emission targets for new buildings when it introduces changes to building regulations in 2005.
One example of a scheme that has already benefited from the Community Energy programme, is the community heating and combined heat and power (CHP) system run by Aberdeen City Council.
Faced with issues of hard to treat properties and fuel poverty, the Council successfully applied for a Community Energy grant to upgrade four multi-storey blocks in Stockethill.
The improvements have reduced fuel bills and CO2 emissons by 40 per cent and enabled the Council to meet the obligations of the Home Energy Conservation Act, by providing affordable, sustainable, safe and environmentally sound heating for its tennants.
The Council is already looking towards future schemes, including a primary school, leisure complex and university buildings.
The success of schemes such as Aberdeen's have contributed to an increase in grant applications and the overall success of the programme has meant that, since the scheme's inception in 2001, nearly £44 million of the Government's original funding has been allocated for community energy projects.
An encouraging number of applications were received in the last bidding round, which closed on 31 July.
Due to this increased market demand, it is unlikely that further bidding rounds will be held until a Government announcement, expected in the autumn.
EST's Chief Executive Philip Sellwood said: "We are delighted to award this record level of funding as it reflects the increased level of commitment that these local authorities and universities have towards improving community heating facilities.
"The significant increase in grant applications demonstrates the success of grants in helping to stimulate and grow the market for environmentally friendly and economically efficient community heating schemes." David Green, Director, Combined Heat and Power Association (CHPA), said, "This grant funding for community heating schemes across the country indicates that the Community Energy Programme is on track to meet its target of reducing carbon emissions, countering the threat of climate change, as well as bringing affordable warmth to families affected by fuel poverty.
This is true sustainable energy." The details of the successful schemes are due to be announced by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 16th September.
• Energy Saving Trust (EST): contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Buildingtalk email newsletter
• Buildingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
