As part of the competition, which aims to get low carbon forms of heating such as biomass boilers, solar hot water panels and heat pumps into social housing, registered providers of social housing can bid for up to £175,000.

The initiative follows a social landlord competition launched under the Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP) scheme by DECC last year.

However, this year’s competition sees the amount of money available to landlords increase from £3mto £10m.

Mr Barker said: “Last year our low carbon heating scheme for social landlords helped nearly 1000 householders stay warm and reap the benefits of clean, green heat.

“This year we have increased the cash available, which will help even more people move away from expensive old heating systems to low carbon more sustainable alternatives.”

The Energy Savings Trust (EST) will evaluate bids on criteria such as value for money, type of fuel being replaced, energy efficiency measures to be installed and track record on delivering similar projects. Final decisions on the number of projects funded under this competition will be made by a DECC panel of experts.

The scheme is being managed by EST and the closing date for applications is July 4.


Carys Matthews

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