Tuesday 10 July 2012

EU bank provides £1.3m support for UK energy scheme

An energy efficiency scheme in Birmingham has received funding worth £1.3 million from the European Investment Bank (EIB).

The Birmingham Energy Savers (BES) initiative is expected to help install energy saving measures such as new boilers, improved insulation and solar panels in 60,000 households in the city.

Councillor James McKay, Cabinet Member for a Green, Safe and Smart city said: “By fitting homes across Birmingham with energy saving measures we will be helping citizens, including some of the poorest, to save money on their domestic fuel bills – making a real difference to their day-to-day lives.

“Birmingham has higher rates of fuel poverty than any core city and the West Midlands has higher rates than any other region, so it’s vital we get on with equipping our homes with as many green measures as possible, as quickly as we can.”

The EIB hopes the initiative will encourage local authorities across the UK and Europe to develop similar schemes.