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Environment & Energy Services - Energy

The Energy Unit was created with funding from SIC, Scottish Hydro-Electric and European Commission sources as part of the EC’s Shetland PERU project.  The main work the Unit is currently involved in includes:

  • Monitoring Council consumption;
  • Implementing energy saving measures;
  • Community projects
  • HECA and housing surveys; NHER & SAP ratings on existing propeties;
  • Fuel poverty surveys,
  • Public events/presentations;
  • Energy invoicing and energy contracts. 
Staff

The Energy Unit currently has two members of staff:

  • Energy Manager – John Simpson

  • Energy Assistant – Tracey Saunders

Monitoring Council Consumption

Work was carried out on setting baseline consumption figures for the Council.  Consumption is currently monitored annually and compared against the baseline to establish annual savings.  The baseline year was 2006/07 and the following graph gives the breakdown in consumption across the majority of the energy consuming sectors within the Council. 

SIC - Energy Consumption by Sector 2006/07

The Energy Unit also assists the Policy Unit in setting reduction targets for energy use.

Implementing Energy Saving Measures

In undertaking surveys for the SIC, energy saving measures have been identified and wherever cost effective savings can be achieved these measures have been implemented.  Measures have included the following:

  • Low cost measures such as energy saving lighting, time switches, etc;
  • Medium cost measures such as insulation, power factor correction and variable speed motors;
  • Higher cost measures such as air source heat pump, district heating and small-scale wind turbine installations.

Air Source Heat Pump, Seafield

District Heating, Old Library Centre

Wind turbine at Lunnasting Primary School

 

Community Projects

The Unit is also involved in a number of larger scale projects including a potential wind turbine project at Greenhead, and a potential wind to heat scheme in Mid Yell where the Council is working alongside the Mid Yell Development Company and various other stakeholders.

Anemometer mast, Greenhead

 

HECA (Home Energy Conservation Act) and Housing Surveys

In 1997 the Unit produced the Home Energy Conservation Act report for Shetland outlining energy use within the existing housing stock, setting a baseline and laying out measures to achieve a 30% reduction in energy use over 10 years.   From 1999 to 2007 the Unit produced biennial reports on progress against the targets.

It assisted the Housing Service in producing energy ratings for existing housing stock.  It also carries out house surveys/assessments under the Council’s fuel poverty grant scheme.

NHER Accreditation

Public Events/Presentations

The Unit has attended a number of public events to offer advice and give out information leaflets, low energy light bulbs etc.  It also visits schools, by request, to give a presentation on global warming to pupils.

Energy Invoicing and Energy Contracts

The Energy Unit is responsible for budget setting and tariff analysis for energy usage in Council buildings along with monitoring and administrating the Council's utility bills for electricity, districit heating and water meters for all it's properties. It also reviews Council's energy contracts.

 

Grant Schemes Available

One Stop Shop, Hjaltland Housing Association, 2 Harbour Street, Lerwick, Shetland (HHA in partnership with Shetland Islands Council):

  • Fuel Poverty Grant - Grant assistance for energy saving measures for private householders who spend more than 10% of their income (including Housing Benefit and Income Support and Mortagage Interest) on household fuel costs, to help reduce their property's energy running costs.

  • Advice and Information for all homeowners
  • Grants for Disabled Adaptations
  • Grants/Loans in specific limited circumstances
  • Handyperson Service

For more information please telephone the One-Stop-Shop on: 01595 741368 or email: mail@hjaltland.org

Energy Assistance Package (Local Government Grant Scheme):

Home owners and Tenants in the Private Sector can apply for grant assistance for loft and cavity wall insulation, heating and draft-proofing. Also give free energy saving advice.

Fuel Company Schemes:

  • Insulation Offers (Scottish Hydro Electric) Freephone: 0800 072 7201. Scottish Hydro Electric provide grants and discounts for the installation of cavity wall and roof insulation.

Fuel companies are currently offering discounted prices for insulation measures in your home. Insulation may be installed free for those in receipt of certain benefits.

Contact: Shetland Heatwise Ltd - Telephone: 01595 696508

  • Warm Home Discount - Electricity Tariff Discount (Scottish Hydro Electric). This discount replaces the previous energyplus Care tariff although customers currently receiving assistance under this scheme will continue to do so untl the natural end date of the tariff, normally 12 months from the date they originally applied. The new discount offers a rebate of £120 for customers on a low income.
  • If you are under another energy supplier please contact them directly to ascertain available rebates or discounts.

Renewable Energy Government Grants Available:

 
Further Information:

Energy Advice/Links

 

Contacts

Environment & Energy Services

Infrastucture Services
Grantfield
Lerwick
Shetland

Phone: +44 (01595) 744800