Orkney households have been reaping the rewards of energy efficiency schemes at a record-breaking pace, but local funding for these vital improvements is running dangerously low.
The Orkney Islands Council, in collaboration with Warmworks, has nearly exhausted the £1.21 million allocated by the Scottish Government for the 2024-25 financial year, despite the scheme being only halfway through its annual cycle.
This funding was part of the Heat and Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Scheme (HEES: ABS), which aims to improve the energy efficiency of homes across Scotland.
Warmworks, operating out of their Kirkwall office and partnering with local contractors, has been instrumental in delivering these measures to Orkney homes.
With funds almost fully committed, the Council is pushing for a share of any unspent money from the £64 million national scheme to ensure more Orkney households can benefit before the programme closes in early summer 2025.
Orkney has consistently outperformed other regions, installing £1.86 million worth of energy-saving measures in 2023-24 and £1.74 million in 2022-23.
Based on this strong track record, the Council had requested £2.25 million for the current year but received just over half of that due to national budget constraints.
Councillor Gwenda Shearer, Chair of the Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, emphasised the Council’s efforts to secure additional funding.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the Scottish Government’s support, which has had a transformative impact on local homes.
“However, demand in Orkney is consistently high, as demonstrated by how quickly this year’s funding has been allocated.”
She added:
“Council officers are working tirelessly to ensure Orkney’s success is recognised and to make the case for reallocating unused funds from other parts of the country.
“We’ve also identified projects that could be implemented immediately, enabling us to match or even exceed last year’s spending – but we need early assurances from the Scottish Government to make this happen.”
The drop in funding has created concerns about meeting the area’s pressing energy efficiency needs.
Rising costs of living and unpredictable winters have made energy-efficient homes a priority for many Orkney residents.
The scheme has allowed local homeowners to access vital improvements such as insulation, draught-proofing, and energy-efficient heating systems, helping to reduce energy bills and cut carbon emissions.
These upgrades are particularly crucial in Orkney, where older housing stock and harsh weather often result in high heating costs.
Homeowners interested in improving their property’s energy efficiency are encouraged to contact Warmworks for guidance.
They can offer advice on other available funding sources and assess eligibility for future HEES: ABS schemes.
Residents can visit the Warmworks office at 2 West Tankerness Lane in Kirkwall, call their freephone number on 0800 038 6022, or email orkney@warmworks.co.uk for more information.
With Orkney’s energy efficiency programme at risk of stalling, securing additional funding is critical to continuing this essential work and keeping homes warm and sustainable across the islands.
