Announcement Warmly Welcomed

Residents in a Ross-shire community are to benefit from an investment of over £800k to upgrade their central heating it was announced today (Tuesday 28 June 2005).

Highland Council staff have been successful in attracting the grant from The Energy Savings Trust to part fund an investment in a Community Energy Project for residents living in Milnafua, Alness.

The Milnafua District Heating Scheme plans to deliver heat to over 200 homes and the Obsdale Primary School and will significantly reduce the costs of heating bills for residents.

The scheme, the first of its kind in Ross and Cromarty, would use underground pipes to deliver heat to homes from a single gas boiler plant. Houses would have a hot water cylinder and radiators just like a normal system but instead of a boiler they would have a heat exchanger which does the same job.

Tracey Urry, Area Housing Manager, said she will be asking Councillors to approve the remaining £1.4million funding necessary to make up the costs for the project.

"We are putting together the details of the project for local Councillors will be asking the Area Committee to approve this spending later on in the year. We would then hope to start work in people’s houses from spring 2006 onwards," she said.

"When we have more information to take to people we will make sure that local residents are consulted. We will also keep them up to date through their Residents Association and their monthly newsletter. Tenants will be able to choose whether they have this improved system and homeowners will be able to opt in to the scheme as well," she added.

A similar scheme in Aberdeen has been a huge success reducing tenants’ heating costs by approximately 40% and reducing CO2 emissions by a similar amount.

Local Councillor Carolyn Wilson said "I am genuinely delighted to see this important project under way. Offering affordable heating at attractive prices to all the properties in the area is a major benefit as it will show significant savings on operating an individual central heating system."

This project is just one of the initiatives being taken by the Highland Council to tackle Fuel Poverty in the Highlands.