Energy efficiency grants soon to be available

The Minister for Planning and Environment today announced an Energy Efficiency Programme to assist low-income and vulnerable households in reducing their energy bills and improving the energy efficiency of their homes. Grants will be provided for a range of measures including loft and cavity wall insulation. The programme is funded by the States and is supported by a voluntary contribution of £500,000 from the Jersey Electricity Company. The grants will usually cover 100% of the costs incorporating inspection, supply and fitting through approved contractors.

Senator Freddie Cohen, Minister for Planning and Environment, said: "This project is key to our objectives of reducing carbon emissions and helps low income families to save money. The Department for Social Security has identified priority households for the first phase of the energy efficiency scheme and they will be contacting these families very shortly. This first year’s allocation of funding will be directed to those people who are eligible for the 'Cold Weather Payment' as well as those on the 65+ Health Scheme. Islanders in these groups will shortly be receiving a letter inviting them to apply."

Chris Ambler, Chief Executive of the Jersey Electricity Company, added: "As the main supplier of the Island’s energy we are delighted to provide this initial seed funding to help the most vulnerable to reduce their fuel bills and to increase the warmth and comfort of their homes through improved energy efficiency. We believe there is a significant opportunity to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions in Jersey. We hope this initiative will act as a stimulus to a longer term and more substantial States funded programme to encourage people to use less energy and to respond to climate change."

Eligible applicants will have an energy assessment of their home to identify the most effective measures to install. The programme will offer cavity wall and loft insulation, draught proofing, temperature controls and pipe lagging. States Housing is not included as this already has its own parallel upgrade programme. The first year’s grants will be primarily focused on owner occupied properties.

The Energy Efficiency Programme aims to improve the energy performance of many hundreds of properties over the next year. It will not only reduce occupiers' fuel bills but it will also help to meet Jersey’s international obligations to cut carbon emissions, in line with the European target of an 80% reduction on baseline 1990 levels by 2050. Most local properties could be made more energy efficient and the intention is to widen this programme in future years, subject to further funding being made available. Energy efficiency advice is available now on www.eco-active.je

Senator Freddie Cohen added: "We will be endeavouring as far as possible to deliver the installation of insulation through approved local contractors and this will have the benefit of providing a stimulus for the local economy."

The Department will shortly be seeking expressions of interest from potential contractors (from Gov.je)