Over 500 households in Bristol, North Somerset and Bath & North East Somerset (BANES) are to receive funding for energy efficiency and renewable upgrades to help tackle fuel poverty and cut carbon emissions.
The ‘Bright Green Homes’ project will be delivered across the South West, by Bristol City Leap, an innovative new partnership between Bristol City Council and Ameresco, designed to bring in investments of nearly £500 million in low carbon energy projects and create over 1000 jobs in its first five years.
Energy efficiency upgrades will be determined on a case by case basis and will range from insulation measures like loft and cavity wall, to the installation of renewable and low carbon technologies such as solar panels and heat pumps.
Households can apply via the Bristol City Leap website where they will complete a short questionnaire to determine their eligibility.
Home improvements for eligible households will be installed by Bristol City Leap partner, Ameresco from March 2023 and continue until 2025.
The three councils successfully bid for funding from phase 2 of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s home upgrade grant which has already provided over £1.1 billion to low income households living in the worst quality, off-gas grid homes in England.
The latest round of funding will help to reduce the carbon footprint of homes, while providing support to hundreds of households in the south west struggling with energy bills.
David White, Operations Director for Bristol City Leap, commented: “We are delighted that Bristol has been successful in the most recent round of the Home Upgrade Grant scheme. We were able to make a much larger bid than in previous funding rounds due to the additional delivery capability that Bristol City Leap can bring to bear through the partnership between Bristol City Council and Ameresco. As a result, our Bright Green Homes project will help reduce the energy bills of over 500 families in Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset and North Somerset, whilst also tackling the climate emergency and creating local jobs.”
The announcement by Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s marks the third time in three years that Bristol City Council has received funding for residents in low energy efficiency and low-income households and builds on the hundreds of homes already benefitting from improved energy efficiency.
Councillor Kye Dudd, Cabinet Member for Climate, Ecology, Waste and Energy in Bristol, said: “I know many people are deeply concerned about the cost of heating their homes and rising energy bills, so I’m glad that we have secured even more funding through the government’s Home Upgrade Grant.
“This funding is an essential part of Bristol’s commitment to become a carbon neutral city and it will also make a real difference to eligible residents in the city – saving them money on their household energy bills and making their homes more energy efficient through upgrades like better insulation.
“If you think your household meets the eligibility criteria, then I urge you to complete the online questionnaire. If you have any questions about the project or eligibility criteria, please get in touch with Bristol City Leap.”
More information on the scheme, including eligibility and how to apply can be found on our Bright Green Homes page or by contacting the Bristol City Leap team on 0117 352 1180.
