Arran Woodfuels undertake to supply & install all equipment in accordance with the requirements of the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), to ensure customer qualification for capital grant assistance. We also provide assistance with applications and claims of grants and incentives.
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Scottish Biomass Heat Scheme NEW
Following on from the very successful SCOTTISH BIOMASS SUPPORT SCHEME, which closed earlier in 2008, new funds are being made available for support under the new SCOTTISH BIOMASS HEAT SCHEME. This scheme will be open from December 2008 for applicants wishing to install renewable biomass heating-only systems to their property. This will be of particular interest to Arran's small hotels as well as B&B establishments, as it will provide financial support for installing a new wood chip or pellet fuelled boiler. Contact us for the latest on this new scheme, or go here.
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Loan Action Scotland (LAS)
The LAS allows businesses to borrow between £5,000 and £100,000 interest-free and is repayable up to 4 years. The loan would be used to help your business to reduce its energy consumption, saving both money and CO2. LAS is supported with finance from the Scottish Executive and the East of Scotland European Partnership (ESEP), and is aimed to encourage SMEs within Scotland to replace old inefficient technology. There are many different types of energy saving equipment that can be purchased, including boiler/heating controls, new plant/machinery, and renewable technologies. Through installing more efficient equipment you can reduce your Climate Change Levy and the investment can be set against Capital Allowances.
Scottish Community and Householder Renewables Initiative (SCHRI)
The SCHRI is funded by the Scottish Executive and operated by the Energy Savings Trust. It provides grants for householders and communities to install renewable energy technologies, including biomass heating.
Householders are entitled to grants of 30% of the installed cost ex-VAT, with a grant limit of £4,000. Two technologies per household.
Communities grant has two main components:
•An advisory and project management service that provides expertise in developing renewable energy projects
•A funding stream that provides financial assistance for capital projects and development initiatives such as feasibility studies.
The Green Tourism Business Scheme
Whilst not providing any direct capital expenditure funding for biomass heating installations, the Green Tourism Business Scheme does offer many advantages to businesses on Arran who adopt the technology and are involved in the tourism industry.
The aim of the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) criteria is to offer guidelines to tourism businesses on how to make their operations more sustainable while still delivering a high quality service. When developing the criteria consideration has been given to a wide range of social and environmental factors, as well as up-to-date technological developments. There are over 150 individual measures in the criteria and each business is scored on up to 60 measures. Biomass heating is ranked highly in the scoring system and will go a long way in establishing what award level the business will achieve, i.e. Going Green, Bronze, Silver, or Gold. Highlands & Islands Community Energy Company (HICEC)
Community Energy Scotland have now taken over from the Highlands and Islands Community Energy Company. The CES purpose is to build confidence, resilience and wealth at community level in Scotland through sustainable energy development.
Community Energy Scotland will inherit the work and staff of HICEC and build upon HICEC's legacy, delivery advice and grant funding on sustainable energy development across Scotland. Unlike HICEC, it will be a membership-based organisation, with membership open to non-profit distributing community groups. For this year (2008-2009) its focus will remain the Highlands and Islands although CES will provide support to groups applying to the Big Lottery’s Growing Community Assets programme over the whole of Scotland.
CES will provide free advice, grant funding and finance for renewable energy projects developed by community groups to benefit their community. This extends to non-profit distributing organisations such as social enterprises and housing associations. CES will assist from the earliest stage of a project idea through to helping to ensure it is running properly once completed.
For example, they can help you if you want to fit renewable energy equipment into a building to help reduce your running costs and use of fossil fuels such as oil. They can also help if you wish to develop a larger-scale project to generate and sell energy to gain a long-term income for your community or organisation. If your group is interested in joining Community Energy Scotland, or you simply want to find out more, the link below until such time as CES has developed its own web presence. http://www.hie.co.uk/community-energy.html | |
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