Welcome funding boost for Norwich energy saving project (East of England Liberal Democrats)

East of England Liberal Democrats <info@eastlibdems.org.uk>

Welcome funding boost for Norwich energy saving project

January 16, 2012 2:18 PM
Originally published by Norwich Liberal Democrats Online

Liberal Democrat Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Chris Huhne has today announced that Shipfield in Norwich will be receiving £55,000 from the first £4m allocation from the Local Energy Assessment Fund.

Shipfield is one of the first of around 80 local energy projects to win funding from the new £10m Local Energy Assessment Fund. Other winning bids include opening show homes to demonstrate solid wall insulation to the public, schemes to check the energy efficiency of homes and invest in renewable energy, and events to promote the uptake of energy efficiency in local communities.

Cllr James Wright, Norwich Liberal Democrat Group Leader at CIty Hall commented:

"At a time when people are worried about rising energy bills, this funding is a welcome boost to help people save energy and keep costs down. These projects will show people that going green is realistic, practical and will help them save money in ways that work in their area. Local communities will be put at the heart of the UK's effort to rise to the enormous challenge to get clean and cheap energy on our efforts to halt climate change and to end our reliance on erratic market of imported oil and gas."

Commenting further, Chris Huhne said:

"We face a gigantic challenge in the coming years to keep the lights on and energy bills down. This means nurturing cleaner, more secure, homegrown energy sources here in the UK so we are not so dependent on imported gas, and boosting the energy efficiency of our homes and businesses to cut out waste. Local communities, with their energy, drive and innovation, are going to be at the heart of this effort, and I hope that this funding acts as a booster rocket to the winning projects."