South West given major boost by £8m green scheme
The initiative has been set up by the Energy Saving Trust, Regen SW, social housing providers and local authority partners to give a boost to the energy efficiency and micro-generation sector in Devon, Bristol and the wider region.
Councillor William Mumford, Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Strategic Planning, Devon County Council, said:
“Devon County Council is pleased to be part of the ground-breaking Ready for Retrofit project, which looks to create a sustainable domestic energy efficiency and micro-generation sector in Devon and the wider region.
“The project will enable Devon businesses in this sector to grow, create new jobs at the same time as delivering a major refurbishment of the housing stock in the county.
“It is a key part in helping Devon deliver a sustainable future and builds on the successes of earlier renewable energy projects pioneered by the county council.”
The £8m Ready for Retrofit programme will kick-start the project by investing more than £6.5m in energy efficiency and micro-generation measures for social housing as well as supporting local businesses to grow and develop new products and services through improved staff development, technical know-how and targeted marketing .
Ian Hutchcroft, Head of South England, Energy Saving Trust, said:
“This is a major break-through for the South West, giving a huge boost to the local economy, supporting business to help tens of thousands of people reduce their fuel bills and making the region a more sustainable place to live and work.
“This initiative will leave a legacy of a strong green economy, new jobs and a skilled workforce.”
The scheme will also help local trades of people to improve their energy-efficiency knowledge so they can identify energy savings for their customers.
