A sweeping programme of energy upgrades is set to transform council housing across the Highlands, thanks to a major funding boost secured through the UK’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme.
The Highland Council will deliver around 1,000 improvements to its housing stock, supported by a £9.2 million ECO proposal secured by Union Technical.
The work will focus on cutting carbon emissions, improving warmth and comfort, and reducing tenants’ energy bills across the region.
Chair of the Housing and Property Committee, Councillor Glynis Campbell Sinclair, called the programme “fantastic” and said it marked a vital step in decarbonising Highland Council housing.
She added that tenants would benefit directly through warmer, more efficient homes and improved living standards.
The upgrades include a mix of cutting-edge measures designed to slash energy waste and make homes fit for the future.
These include improved insulation to retain heat and reduce loss, as well as the installation of air source heat pumps.
These pumps, which extract heat from the outside air, can be up to three times more efficient than traditional electric heating systems.
Also part of the plan are solar photovoltaic systems, which will allow homes to generate renewable electricity on-site.
By producing power directly, tenants can benefit from lower bills and cleaner energy.
The improvements will also lift the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings of Council properties, helping meet national standards like the Scottish Housing Quality Standard and the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing.
It’s part of a wider push by the Council to support tenants and modernise its housing stock in line with climate targets.
Alongside this initiative, the Council continues to deliver the Scottish Government’s Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Scheme.
That programme supports owner occupiers and private renters with similar upgrades, helping more Highlanders benefit from warmer homes and lower fuel bills.
The Council is also actively exploring further external funding streams to keep delivering energy improvements across its housing estate.
For tenants and communities across the Highlands, this programme represents more than just insulation and solar panels.
It is a promise of comfort, dignity and a fairer future in every home touched by the upgrades.
More information is available on The Highland Council website
