Low Carbon Communities Receive Boost in Funding

Posted under Blog by Ruth

The government has recently announced that 12 communities across England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be receiving up to £500,000 each as a way to allow them to improve energy efficiency and install green technology, including solar panels and wind turbines.

The funding has been provided by the Low Carbon Challenge, and is the second round to be given. The Low Carbon Challenge itself is a two year project to help develop methods that can cut down carbon emissions, and can eventually be repeated across the country.

The latest round of projects means that communities will be working with local tradesmen to help deliver green technology with the aim of both saving householders money on their energy bills, and reducing carbon emissions.

Measures that can help homeowners to make their home more energy efficient include installing double glazing in the windows. According to figures from the Energy Saving Trust, this could save an average of £135 on annual energy bills.

Other measures will include ways for households to generate their own energy. The new government reward scheme means that homeowners could receive a payout simply for installing these measures, as well as extra rewards if they then go on to sell excess energy back to the grid.

Energy and climate change minister Joan Ruddock stated that this action is vital due to the fact that over 25% of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK come from electrical appliances in homes, heating and lighting.

The 12 communities to receive this award include Ballymena, Oxfordshire, Northern Ireland, Cheshire, Exmoor National Park and Cwmclydach.