National ‘project of the year’ for Highland home energy initiative

A partnership programme bringing major energy savings to hard-to-treat properties in fuel poverty parts of the Highlands has won ‘project of the year’ in the National Green Deal & ECO Awards 2015.

This accolade awarded to project partners - The Highland Council and E.ON Energy Solutions - now entitles the organisations to officially brand their “Home Energy Efficiency Project – Area Based (HEEP-ABS) Scheme” as ‘National Green Deal & ECO Project of the Year’.

The £7.4million HEEP-ABS energy project has reached around 1,111 homes in the Highlands. It has saved in excess of 63,000 tonnes of carbon, employed around 98 people and secured a £4.9 million contribution in ECO funding.

Homes benefitting from the scheme (including vulnerable home owners) received cavity wall insulation and, or external wall insulation.

Eddie Boyd, Highland Council’s Principal Engineer with Energy & Sustainability said: “We were honoured to attend the awards ceremony in Manchester and delighted to receive the project of the year award which was the highlight award of the night.

“I am so pleased for our Project leader, Karen MacLean and the team who, with E.ON have worked hard on the project and thoroughly deserve the accolade.”

Pictured receiving the award from Rory Bremner and sponsor Quidos is Highland Council’s Energy Officer, Karen MacLean and Eddie Boyd with colleagues from the Highland HEEP- ABS Team Highland and E.ON Energy Solutions.