Nicola Sturgeon has set a target that all homes in Scotland should meet an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of at least Band C by 2040. The proposed requirement is outlined in ‘Route Map to an Energy Efficient Scotland’, which was launched for consultation by the Scottish First Minister in a speech at the All Energy conference in Glasgow earlier today. The route map proposes that all domestic properties are required to achieve an energy efficiency rating of ‘at least’ EPC C by 2040 at the latest. Just over a third of owner-occupied homes, which account for 61% of domestic housing in Scotland, currently meet the EPC C standard. The route map confirms that landlords of privately rented homes will be required to achieve an EPC rating of Band E from April 2020 when they let out their properties, rising to D from 2022.
Utility Week 2nd May 2018 read more »
Government funding of more than £54m is to go towards tackling fuel poverty in Scotland, the first minister has said. The money will be used to help meet a target to improve the energy efficiency of all homes by 2040. The plan is set out in the Route Map to an Energy Efficient Scotland, launched by Nicola Sturgeon at the All Energy conference in Glasgow. The funding will also support local authorities to expand existing energy efficiency and fuel poverty programmes. Under the plans, all homes will be improved to achieve an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of at least band C by 2040. An EPC gives a property an energy efficiency rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). Private rented properties will be required to meet band E by 2022 and band D by 2025. Fabrice Leveque, of Scottish Renewables, said the route map failed to capitalise on Scotland’s emerging renewable heat industry. He said: “It is vital that the Scottish government progresses its proposals to support district heat networks and demonstrates how the programme will support technologies like heat pumps, biomass and solar to ensure that the heat we generate is not only used in the most efficient way but is low carbon too.”
BBC 2nd May 2018 read more »
The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations welcomed “the ambition and long term commitment in the announcements”, while urging ministers to provide additional support to enable its members to invest in low carbon affordable energy efficiency measures while keeping rents affordable. Head of public affairs Sarah Boyack said: “Housing associations have a strong track record in energy efficiency, renewables and affordable warmth – associations have the most energy efficient homes in Scotland and have a track record of delivering energy efficiency advice and initiatives such as district and renewable heating. “While welcoming the ambition, however, the SFHA make it clear that ambitious targets need to be supported by Scottish Government investment to bring about the transformational change proposed in today’s announcement.” Sarah Beattie-Smith, senior climate and energy policy officer at WWF Scotland said: “WWF Scotland has long called for greater action to insulate our leaky homes so it is positive to see the Government adopting our call for a target to get the vast majority of homes up to an energy performance standard of EPC C. We also welcome the Government’s recognition of the need for a national delivery mechanism for this 20 year infrastructure priority. However, homeowners must be supported to take action to upgrade their homes faster than proposed if we are to meet existing and future climate change targets and reap the benefits of a low carbon future. We cannot afford to wait until 2040. New financial incentives and regulation for minimum standards of energy efficiency are now needed to improve people’s homes, drive down climate emissions and create new jobs in communities across the country.”
Holyrood 2nd May 2018 read more »
