North of Scotland: local energy advisor scheme
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) and Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) have joined forces to launch a £140,000 energy advisor programme to support vulnerable households and help reduce fuel poverty in the north of Scotland.
The first-of its-kind partnership, fully-funded by SSEN, will see four specialist energy advisors recruited to operate in local Scottish Citizens Advice bureaux (CABs) providing in-depth, holistic energy advice.
CABs in Shetland, Western Isles, South West Aberdeenshire and East and Central Sutherland have received funding, with advisors expected to be in post by the end of this month. These represent a wide geographic coverage with high levels of fuel poverty worsened by challenges caused by geography and living in a rural area.
The support given by the advisors will include energy efficiency advice, referrals to the Warm Home Discount Scheme, supplier switching advice, referrals to Home Energy Scotland for loans, grants and incentives, resolving billing issues, benefits checks and referring eligible customers to SSEN’s Priority Services Register.
The partnership will last for a year, with delivery supported by well-established local partnerships already in place throughout the CAB network. SSEN is to provide training and support on energy issues to the advisors.
See the Citizens Advice Scotland website for Citizens Advice bureaux contacts
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