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New 'one stop' energy shop
04/06/2008
A new advice network to help Scots cut their fuel bills was launched today.
The Energy Saving Scotland advice network will offer free advice on energy efficiency, small scale renewables and sustainable transport.
The one stop shop will help customers access grants from the Scottish Government and energy supply companies and, for the first time, will offer an energy home help service.
Energy Minister Jim Mather said:
"We all need to think about how much energy we use. With rising fuel prices hitting people in the pocket, there's never been a better time to get energy wise - and a waste of energy is a waste of money.
"For the first time, the Energy Saving Scotland advice network will give a range of advice in one place - on energy efficiency, on the most suitable microgeneration technology and on sustainable transport. Having these components together allows consumers to consider wider opportunities of how they can reduce their energy use and their impact on the environment.
"Funding for microgeneration needs to complement energy efficiency, so from September we will require applicants for small scale renewables grants to meet energy efficiency criteria. This will make technologies more effective, reduce the payback time and create a more attractive investment.
"To complement this, Energy Saving Scotland's Home Help service will provide assistance for householders on all aspects of microgeneration installation and energy efficiency advice. It will involve home visits, surveys, assistance with planning applications and support once the technology has been installed. And for the first time, solar photovoltaic technology will be eligible for Scottish Government grant funding.
"In our drive to cut emissions and build a greener Scotland, everyone needs to play their part. Contacting the Energy Saving Scotland advice network will help save the planet - and save you some cash."
The Energy Saving Scotland advice network (ESSac) is funded by the Scottish Government and managed by the Energy Saving Trust.
Mike Thornton, Director of the Energy Saving Trust, in Scotland, thanked the Scottish Government for their ongoing support and commitment to the new network:
Mr Thornton said:
"There are three key features of the upgrade to the advice network which we manage on behalf of the Scottish Government.
"Firstly we are widening the range of advice and information each centre provides to cover energy efficiency, small scale renewables and transport. Secondly we will be dealing with many more customers. The new network will reach 250,000 people each year as opposed to 100,000 under the previous system. We will also be more locally focused in delivering the service. Each centre will draw up its own carbon plan based on the opportunities for carbon saving in the local area.
"The new Energy Saving Scotland advice network will provide everyone in Scotland with a convenient 'one-stop shop' service making it easier than ever for people to take action to save money, energy and carbon."
During 2008/09, the Scottish Government is providing £3.5 million in grants for householders and £2 million for businesses through loans. Householders will be able to access grants of up to £4,000 and small businesses loans of up to £100,000 to install energy generating equipment, including solar panels and heat pumps.
Energy Saving Scotland advice network services are provided on a regional basis (Ayr, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and the Highlands), by experienced and expert local organisations working under contract to the Energy Saving Trust, giving full geographical coverage across Scotland. People can access their local centre on freephone 0800 512 012 or visiting the Energy Savings Trust website
The Scottish Government today published a response to the previous administration's consultation on an Energy Efficiency and Microgeneration Strategy.
Jim Mather continued:
"The Energy Saving Scotland advice network is just one of the actions we are taking to reducing energy consumption and tackling climate change.
"Since the previous administration's Energy Efficiency and Microgeneration Strategy consultation, we have trebled funding for microgeneration and consulted on removing planning obstacles for small scale renewables. I can confirm today that we will publish an Action Plan this year to outline our ambition for energy efficiency and microgeneration."
The Energy Saving Trust is independent and acts as a bridge between government, consumers, trade, businesses, local authorities and the energy market. The Energy Saving Trust aims to cut emissions of carbon dioxide by promoting the sustainable and efficient use of energy.
The Scottish Government funds the Energy Saving Trust to carry out a range of activities on energy efficiency community and microgeneration and transport - £13 million this financial year - of this ESSac will receive nearly £5.2 million.
Around 50 per cent of total carbon dioxide emissions come from energy use in homes and personal travel.
The ESSac network replaces and upgrades the previous network of Energy Efficiency Advice Centres which focused on energy efficiency. The new network covers the full sustainable energy agenda of energy efficiency, microrenewables and personal transport. The new ESSac network has targets to more than double the number of customers to 250,000 each year and quadruple the potential carbon savings to 400,000 tonnes of lifetime carbon.