Hundreds of families in Swansea could see their heating bills fall after Swansea Council secured up to £2 million of funding to improve the energy efficiency of homes.
The Local Authority is about to begin consultation on how the grant can be spent on social and private housing in the Pontarddulais and Clydach areas to tackle fuel poverty and improve energy efficiency.
The news comes after Swansea Council secured funds from the Welsh Assembly Government’s groundbreaking ARBED scheme.
Cllr Peter May, Swansea Council Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “Tackling fuel poverty and improving energy efficiency are intrinsically linked.
“This grant funding is extremely good news for Pontarddulais and Clydach where we have properties that are poorly insulated and difficult to heat.
“The grant funding is also extremely good news for the local economy as local businesses will have an opportunity to carry out the work.”
The areas have been selected because they are part of the Welsh Assembly Government’s Strategic Regeneration Areas. They also have a large number of properties that are difficult to insulate and use a range of different and expensive fuels for heating systems including oil and solid fuel.
The money will be used in social and private housing to provide solid wall insulation, air source heat pumps and fuel switching.
Swansea Council will shortly start consultation with local residents and community groups.
