In one of the first initiatives of its kind in the UK, Flintshire County Council and energy supplier npower are set to transform homes in Higher Shotton.
‘Energise Higher Shotton’, funded through the Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP), aims to reduce fuel bills and cut carbon emissions.
Tenants and private householders in Higher Shotton will be offered solar thermal hot water systems, new gas central heating systems and replacement of the most inefficient boilers.
The Welsh Assembly Government has recognised Flintshire’s innovative approach, and its success in attracting CESP funding, which will improve the energy efficiency of homes in the area. In order to expand the scope of the scheme to include renewable energy and solid wall insulation, they have provided additional funding from their ARBED programme.
In addition to the above funding, the Council will be matching this investment by providing its own resources. This means that there will be further support for the Council’s ongoing heating improvement programme. Other funding, in the form of interest free loans is available to private householders, which will ensure that improvements can be accessed by everyone living in the area.
Clare Budden, Flintshire County Council’s Head of Housing said ‘I am delighted that Flintshire County Council is one of the very few councils in the UK to attract this funding. This will significantly accelerate the programme of improvement we have set for the area, ensuring our tenants and private householders can benefit from higher levels of energy efficiency and lower fuel bills.’
Karen O’Neill, Community Energy Savings Manager from npower said: “This innovative partnership will deliver real impact for those who choose to take advantage of it.
“Saving energy, saving carbon and saving money go hand-in-hand, and the more we can do to reinforce this message the more impact we can have in helping people reduce their bills.”
The offer to private households, without gas central heating or with the most inefficient boiler, will include a brand new central heating system, improved heating controls and insulation, all for a contribution of £300. The remainder of the costs will be covered by grant funding and interest free loans, which require no repayment whilst the owner remains in residence.
Flintshire’s success in attracting this funding means that, for the first time, a ‘whole house approach’ will be delivered on a street by street basis. The aim is to install over 100 solar thermal panels, which will allow people to generate free hot water. It will also be possible to connect every home in the area to mains gas.
More than 1000 homes are eligible to participate in this scheme and information suggests that almost half will be able to benefit from major improvements. In addition, all properties in the area will be offered grants for loft and cavity wall insulation, as well as free energy advice.
Collectively the scheme should save residents £130,000 every year and reduce carbon emissions by 40,000 tonnes per year, from property improvement alone. Many will make additional savings by taking advice on the best tariffs and through the use of real-time electricity monitors, which allow householders to better evaluate usage.
As well as providing environmental and financial benefits to householders, the scheme will also support local employment. A number of 18-24 year olds are being recruited through the Future Jobs Fund, to undertake paid work in support of the scheme. This work will include carrying out energy assessments, promoting the scheme, and installing light bulbs, draught proofing and other basic energy efficiency improvements.
Councillor Helen Brown, Flintshire County Council’s Executive Member for Housing said:
“I am pleased to support this exciting scheme, which demonstrates Flintshire’s ability to attract funding, despite the challenging economic climate. Energise Higher Shotton will have a positive impact on the local community, through the property improvements made and the job opportunities created.”
For more information, contact the North Wales Energy Advice Centre on 0800 954 0658.
