Isra-Mart srl: DECC opens £3m social housing renewable heat fund

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Social housing landlords have today been invited to enter a £3m competition to install renewable heat technologies, such as solar thermal panels and ground source heat pumps, in the homes of tenants.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) formally launched the £3m social housing element of the Renewable Heat Premium Payment Scheme (RHPP), after unveiling the general £12m pot for all homeowners at the start of this month.

Registered providers of social housing, such as local authorities and social housing associations, will be able to bid for up to €200,000 (£175,000) to help fund the installation of renewable heat technologies.

Landlords have one month from today to bid, with applications closing on 15 September. Successful landlords will then need to install the technologies by March 2012, after which they will be reimbursed for their investments by DECC.

Energy and climate change minister Greg Barker said the social housing element of the RHPP was directly targeted at those at risk of fuel poverty.

"It will drive the take-up of new heating technologies in social housing and help slash their dependence on big energy companies and expensive tariffs," he said in a statement.

"In the face of rising gas and electricity bills, the Premium Payment scheme is a valuable way for people to get involved in energy generation at a local level, insulating them from volatile fossil fuel costs and ensuring homes are heated in a greener, more sustainable way."

Eligible technologies include biomass boilers, solar thermal panels, ground source heat pumps, air-to-water-source heat pumps and water-to-water-source heat pumps.

David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, welcomed the launch of the competition.

"[It will] assist social housing providers, such as housing associations, to increase their use of renewable heating technologies and so reduce emissions," he said.

Further details on how to apply and the terms and conditions for the competition can be viewed at the Energy Saving Trust's website.

The move comes just weeks ahead of the launch of the business section of the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme, which from this autumn will allow firms that install renewable heat technologies to qualify for guaranteed payments based on how much heat they generate.