New energy efficiency programme to help tackle fuel poverty

Hundreds of homes in Bridgend County Borough will be eligible to receive new funding later this year to carry out energy efficiency improvements that aim to reduce fuel bills.

Cabinet Members from Bridgend County Borough Council have agreed that the local authority will participate in the Welsh Government’s latest domestic energy efficiency programme which is being created to tackle fuel poverty across Wales.

A home is considered to be in fuel poverty if more than 10 per cent of their household income is spent on energy, while a home that spends more than 20 per cent of their total household income on energy is said to be in severe fuel poverty.

By 2021, £54m will be invested by the programme into energy efficiency improvements in more than 6,000 homes in Wales where fuel poverty is prevalent.

The funding will come from the European Regional Development Fund, Welsh Government and energy supply company sources through the Energy Company Obligation.

The programme will be delivered for Welsh Government by Arbed am Byth, which is a joint venture company between Everwarm and the Energy Savings trust.

We are wholeheartedly behind any initiatives which help to tackle fuel poverty in our communities. The Welsh Government has operated domestic energy efficiency programmes for over a decade now which have brought many benefits to local residents, and I am excited about what this latest programme will deliver.

Now that our participation has been agreed, we’ll work in partnership with Arbed am Byth and the Welsh Government to decide where the programme will be offered locally so that it can have maximum impact.

Our early thinking is that the Morfa ward in Bridgend town centre would be suitable, as well as parts of Kenfig Hill, Cornelly, Pyle and Cefn Cribwr. But the exact areas still need to be considered a bit further before letters will be sent out later this year to all residents that are invited to engage with the programme, based on them meeting certain criteria. Full details will be publicised as soon as possible via a widespread awareness campaign.

Councillor Richard Young, Bridgend County Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities

Energy saving measures that could be funded through the programme include; draught proofing, low energy light bulbs, loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, external wall insulation, thermostatic radiator valves, central heating systems, radiators, and renewable technologies such as heat pumps and solar panels.