Press Release

19th July 2012

Twenty community groups helped to cut energy costs – but there’s still room for more

There are over 100 community buildings in Shetland which are managed and run by volunteers, including public halls, youth centres, boating clubs and heritage centres.  Many struggle to meet their energy costs, having to spend up to 30% of their annual expenditure on heating and lighting.

The Community Energy Efficiency Programme was launched on 1st April 2011 to try to address these problems, using LEADER and Shetland Islands Council funding, and expertise from Community Energy Scotland. 

It’s now halfway through a two year programme, providing grant aid support for  community facilities to undertake energy audits, and capital grants for them to improve their facilities. 

So far, just over £130,000 has been granted to 20 different organisations.  Eleven energy audits have been completed, with 3 more underway, and 6 community facilities have so far received funding for capital projects. 

One of those is the Ness Boating Club, which received £28,519 to help install  insulation, new windows and low energy lighting, as well as a wind-break shelter for its main door.  Club secretary Theresa Wadley says: “We’re delighted with the improvements, which make the Club more energy efficient.  They also make the building more comfortable and attractive, which in turn means we’ve seen an increase in usage.  At the end of the day we’ve got lower bills and increased income – a good result.”

The programme is due to be reviewed in March 2013 – the SIC’s Grants Co-ordinator Michael Duncan says “We’re really pleased with the progress of the scheme to date.  It’s helping groups preserve the fabric of their buildings, cut running costs and attract  more users and income.  Anyone who’s interested in finding out more should contact myself at the SIC’s Grants Unit, or their local Community Work Office.”

Ends.

For more information, contact SIC Grants Co-ordinator Michael Duncan, Community Work Officer Mick Clifton on 01595 745303, or Secretary of the Ness Boating Club Theresa Wadley on 01595 744309.

Notes for editors:

Through a partnership between Community Energy Scotland and Shetland Islands Council, LEADER Convergence funding was obtained to augment ring-fenced Council money.  The Community Energy Efficiency Programme was launched on 1st April 2011.

Forty-three community groups are now at different stages of developing energy efficiency projects.

The scheme provides grant aid up to 90% for energy audits, to a maximum of £2,000

It also provides capital grant aid up to 75% of eligible costs up to a maximum of £40,000

Eleven energy audits have been completed to date, with a further 3 underway.

Six community facilities have so far received funding for capital projects.

Community Energy Efficiency Programme Summary of grant awards (in date order)

Group	Area	Grant Type	Amount	Date
Germatwatt Youth Centre	West & Central Mainland	Energy Audit	£711	12/09/2011
Walls Public Hall	West & Central Mainland	Energy Audit	£917	12/09/2011
Sellafirth Public Hall	North Isles	Capital	£2,739	03/10/2011
Ness Boating Club	South Mainland	Capital	£28,519	08/11/2011
Bixter Public Hall	West & Central Mainland	Energy Audit	£765	08/11/2011
St Olaf Community Club	North Mainland & Whalsay	Energy Audit	£882	08/11/2011
Mid Yell Public Hall	North Isles	Energy Audit	£1,017	08/11/2011
Cunningsburgh Public Hall	South Mainland	Energy Audit	£1,125	11/11/2011
Scalloway Youth Centre Trust	West & Central Mainland	Energy Audit	£1,599	17/01/2012
Trondra Public Hall	West & Central Mainland	Energy Audit	£675	17/01/2012
Aith Public Hall	West & Central Mainland	Energy Audit	£870	17/01/2012
Skeld Public Hall	West & Central Mainland	Energy Audit	£873	17/01/2012
Whalsay Golf Club	North Mainland & Whalsay	Energy Audit	£741	17/01/2012
Brae Public Hall	North Mainland & Whalsay	Capital	£6,819	02/03/2012
Levenwick Community Hall	South Mainland	Capital	£26,287	02/03/2012
Symbister Public Hall	North Mainland & Whalsay	Capital	£40,000	02/03/2012
Walls Regatta Club	West & Central Mainland	Capital	£13,984	05/03/2012
Sandveien Neighbourhood Centre	Lerwick, Bressay & Gulberwick	Energy Audit	£955	22/05/2012
Burra Public Hall	West & Central Mainland	Energy Audit	£945	22/05/2012
Walls Swimming Pool	West & Central Mainland	Energy Audit	£868	31/05/2012

This project is part-financed by the European Union under the Shetland LEADER 2008-2013 programme.

Ends.

News List