Partner Article

£5m Scheme to Cut Middlesbrough Fuel Bills

More than 1100 homes inMiddlesbroughare to receive free energy efficiency measures in the latest in a series of fuel poverty schemes to be carried out in the North East.

Middlesbrough Council, in partnership with fuel poverty specialist GoWarm, has just announced plans to install a package of energy efficiency measures, which could include external wall or cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, boiler replacements, new heating systems and controls and draught proofing, in around 1,100 homes in the town’s Greshamarea.

This is the latest major project to be delivered by GoWarm and follows on from the success of its partnership with Stockton Borough Council to deliver £6m worth of similar measures to 900 homes inStockton’s Parkfield ward – expected to cut the borough’s carbon emissions by 110,000 tonnes a year.

The cost of the new project, estimated to be up to £5m, is being funded primarily by leading integrated power and gas company E.ON via the Government-backed Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP), which targets households in areas of low income to improve energy efficiency standards and reduce fuel bills. An additional £300,000 is also being provided by Middlesbrough Council.

Councillor Charlie Rooney, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “Household budgets are under unprecedented pressure, and the weather’s more unpredictable than ever, so this is the kind of initiative that will make a real difference.

“This is an excellent project which will provide investment in housing stock, warmer homes, improved health and well being and possible savings of up to £750 per household per year. This is also an example of our ongoing commitment to the widerGreshamcommunity”

The GoWarm Gresham assessors will start visiting properties to assess their eligibility and give out free benefits advice towards the end of May, with plans for the work to begin on the first houses in June

Karen Hindhaugh, Director of GoWarm said: “The GoWarm Parkfield scheme has been running extremely successfully for the past few months and has already delivered real benefits to residents of Stockton’s Parkfield ward, with many reporting that their homes are warmer and their energy bills are already reduced.

“We are delighted to now be working with Middlesbrough Council to bring these same benefits to the people ofGreshamand look forward to getting work underway in the coming weeks.”

GoWarm is part of community interest company Community Energy Solutions which has offices in Stockton, South Tyneside and inYorkshire.

For more information visit www.gowarm.org.uk or call 08444 999944

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sorted PR .