SSE, under its Scottish Hydro brand, will provide up to £4 million for the project under its Energy Company Obligation (Eco), and this will be complimented by £1.4 million from the Scottish government’s Home Energy Efficiency Programme for Scotland (HEEPS).
Housing and welfare minister Margaret Burgess said: “To help tackle fuel poverty we are actively working with councils and energy companies to ensure Scotland continues to get its fair share of funding for energy efficiency programmes like these.”
SSE has also introduced additional referral channels with health professionals, such as GPs, who can refer people they think might be eligible for assistance.
SSE’s area development manager, David Smith, said the scheme is “one of the many projects we are committed to under Eco”.
Norman Kirr, director of fuel poverty charity Energy action Scotland, added: “Rural areas are often worst affected by fuel poverty and so it is good news that people there will benefit from this new funding.
“It is also recognised that living in a cold home can be bad for health and therefore it makes sense to work with medical professionals who can refer people to get assistance.”