Twenty-four social housing providers across Britain have been awarded a share of a £4 million fund to install green heating systems in the homes of their tenants.

They are the first winners to be announced under the Renewable Heat Premium Payment scheme competition for social landlords, which was launched earlier this year.

There was a strong response with 125 bids submitted by the closing date.

The 24 successful applicants will receive up to £175,000 to install green heating systems such as biomass boilers, solar hot water panels and heat pumps in the homes of tenants.

Successful bidders included projects across the whole of Great Britain.


Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said: "This scheme directly targets many of the people who could struggle to pay their heating bills in the winter and I am pleased so many social housing organisations across the country will be able to get a share of the cash. It will encourage an increase in the number of new heating technologies in social housing and help people deal with expensive fuel costs."

Karen Lawrence, director of delivery for the Energy Saving Trust said: "From our work with social landlords across the UK, we’re well aware of a great appetite for green technologies that can help tenants heat their homes more cheaply and efficiently. We also know councils and housing associations have become increasingly proactive and knowledgeable in the field of sustainability – and this was reflected in the standard of the bids for funding that were received.

"Both this and the householder strand of the RHPP will also be great learning opportunities. Real data on performance in people's homes is absolutely key in successfully boosting the market for renewable heat technologies."

(CD)