Energy

Scotland's water and electricity providers have joined forces to launch a shared Priority Services Register to inform customers of the free support available when they need it most. 

COP26 is the international community’s best, perhaps only, chance to address the threat of climate change, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said.

Speaking to a virtual gathering of Scottish business and investment leaders today, the First Minister said that welcoming the international climate change conference to Scotland was a huge honour, carrying major responsibility.

Legislation which will help cut emissions, reduce fuel poverty and create green jobs by accelerating the deployment of heat networks has been passed unanimously by the Scottish Parliament.

Communities across the country are to benefit from fast-tracked funding to help tackle climate change and deliver Scotland’s green recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

A total of 279 projects will be funded through the Community Climate Asset Fund, helping to deliver electric bikes, food growing equipment and glazing to improve energy efficiency.

The successful recipients of the Fund include:

Projects with a specific focus on efficiency, cutting emissions and improving environmental performance have been selected as part of the next round of the Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Fund (KTIF).

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 will be able to apply for 75% cashback up to the value of £7,500 towards the cost of a renewable heating system and a further 40% cashback up to £6,000 for energy efficiency measures.

Fuel-poor households are to benefit from a further £16 million investment to improve energy efficiency in their homes.

The money will be used to improve insulation and install energy efficient heating systems, including those using renewable technology, contributing to Scotland’s net zero targets and helping to meet a key Programme for Government commitment.

Investors are being invited to get behind more than £1 billion of low carbon, eco-friendly and recycling investment opportunities.

Led by the Scottish Government, the Green Investment Portfolio promotes market-ready projects that will help Scotland transition to a net-zero economy by 2045 and are seeking private capital.

The next funding round of the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewables Energy Scheme (CARES) is now open.

Communities, public sector organisations and rural businesses looking to make long term environmental changes and play a part in the green recovery after COVID-19 are encouraged to apply.