The Highland Council has welcomed an increase of £750,000 of funding from the SSE Renewables Highland Sustainable Development Fund to support private householders experiencing extreme fuel poverty in Highland.
The two-year grant will support the delivery of the Council’s Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Scheme (EES:ABS), funded by The Scottish Government, which funds energy efficiency home improvements that can help lower fuel costs and improve living conditions for Highland residents. The grant also forms part of a long-term funding commitment from SSE Renewables, with £2.6 million having been awarded to support households in extreme fuel poverty.
Chair of Highland Council’s Climate Change Committee, Councillor Kate Willis, said: “This continued support from SSE Renewables is much needed at a time when householders face ongoing uncertainty and challenges around fuel costs. It will be instrumental in helping us deliver energy efficiency benefits to those who need it most and is aligned with the Council’s commitment to tackling fuel poverty, improving housing quality, and achieving Net Zero targets.
“The Highlands face significantly higher heat demand and fuel costs and the EES:ABS programme is essential for addressing these challenges. This investment has enhanced the Council’s capacity to deliver practical, targeted energy efficiency measures for householders and will help us reduce fuel poverty rates in Highland. The work of the EES:ABS programme aligns with the objectives of the Highland Social Value Charter, and we remain committed to ensuring communities benefit from renewables investments in the region in a meaningful and measurable way.”
To date, SSE Renewables funding has enabled more than 350 households to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Positive feedback has been received from householders on the impact following upgrades, which have created warmer, more energy efficient homes. The new funding award will support additional households to benefit from the programme.
Lochaber resident A said: “The process was clear and the team were there to answer any questions. The warmth and comfort we have now is amazing, it’s like a brand-new house. I think the scheme is fantastic, and it is well worth getting the work done. The heating alone has been such a big difference, the bills have definitely come down.”
Lochaber resident B said: “We have an overall warmth right through the house now and sound-wise the insultation on the outside has made the house much quieter. The solar panels are giving us cheaper electricity, and everyone wants that. I would recommend the scheme.”
An independent evaluation of the EES:ABS programme was recently undertaken by Hilliam Research and Analysis. It viewed the programme as successful and highly valued, generating significant levels of demand and achieving real, impactful savings for householders with increased comfort and energy and carbon savings. The Council’s collaborative approach also ensures effective targeting of households most in need and the right measures for each home. Overall, EES:ABS was assessed as highly effective and best practice for local authority-led retrofit projects.
Heather Donald, Onshore Director, of SSE Renewables said: “SSE's invested of more than £2.6 million through the Highland Sustainable Development Fund shows the impact that can be achieved when industry, public partners and communities work together with a shared social ambition.
“By supporting vulnerable households to reduce energy costs and improve efficiency, the programme is helping create warmer, more resilient homes across the Highlands. The independent evaluation underlines the scale of this impact and our ongoing commitment to delivering meaningful, long-term benefits for Highland communities.”
For more information on the Energy Efficient Scotland: Area-Based Scheme, including eligibility criteria and available grants, visit the Highland Council website or email: EES-ABS@highland.gov.uk. Funding can support a range of energy efficiency improvements, helping eligible households create warmer homes, cut energy bills and reduce their environmental impact.