Community Windpower is backing a £1m energy fund is to be launched in East Lothian, Scotland, to support the region’s most vulnerable residents.
The partnership between Community Windpower, Advice Direct Scotland and East Lothian Council has been set up ahead of Christmas as energy bills continue to increase.
The scheme is due to be operational by the end of the month, with applications to the fund made by individuals online or through organisations including the council, which will be the lead referral partner.
This fund is supported directly from Community Windpower’s onshore wind farms near Aikengall, East Lothian.
It will be administered by Advice Direct Scotland, which also operates the Scottish Government’s Home Heating Support Fund across the country, with swift payments made to successful applicants to help them with their energy bills.
Further details on how the scheme will run will be announced in the coming weeks.
Rod Wood, Community Windpower’s managing director, said: “We are delighted to finally introduce this energy funding scheme and contribute £1m for local communities in East Lothian just when help is most needed.
“Scotland’s renewable energy future is bright with potentially 30-40GW to be built to support energy security and the green hydrogen revolution and we would urge the Scottish renewables industry to follow our lead and commit to an additional £5000 per MW to support vulnerable families across Scotland.
“This will deliver an additional £200m per annum into the Scottish economy as well as supporting the Scottish Government to insulate homes, provide low carbon heating systems, and create new jobs in the green energy sector.”
Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian, said: “I have been working closely with Community Windpower and East Lothian Council to establish this fund, and I am delighted to see it now come together.
“This new fund will be a game changer for everyone in East Lothian, especially those who are struggling with energy costs.
“Community Windpower have been extremely enthusiastic about this project, and I commend their forward thinking on supporting the communities they work in.
“I really hope this model proves to be something that can be rolled out across Scotland as the cost-of-living crisis continues to hit vulnerable people the hardest.”