SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, has welcomed news that 222 heat pumps were installed in homes across the Western Isles since January as Scotland remains on course to deliver a record number of heat pumps in 2024.
According to latest data from the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) the SNP Scottish Government has delivered 2659 in total in the Western Isles since 2007 and is providing support to those looking to install them via the Home Energy Scotland grant and loan worth £7,500, or £9,000 for those in rural areas.
The Scottish Government also has fuel poverty programmes for low-income households like Warmer Homes Scotland and Area Based Schemes. When compared with other nations of the UK, Scotland is leading the way with 1.68% of households with heat pump installations compared to 0.81% in England.
Commenting SNP MSP Alasdair Allan said:
“Once again Scotland is leading the way, working towards achieving our net zero goals while bringing down energy costs. It’s fantastic to see so many homes across the Western Isles make the switch to a sustainable and affordable heat source that does not rely on imports from the mainland.
“This now means over a fifth of homes in the Western Isles are heated with green energy. Recent figures confirm our islands lead the way both in Scotland and England.
“While the UK Labour Government making decisions which threaten our public services with more austerity cuts and will see 800,000 Scottish pensioners go without the Winter Fuel Payment, the SNP are making 2659 homes warmer and greener in Na h-Eileanan an Iar.
“Unlike in England or Wales, the Scottish Government is using its limited powers to tackle fuel poverty and a time when energy bills are set to rise. This is despite Labour’s broken promise to bring them down.
“I am proud of these green and progressive achievements since entering government in 2007. However, the purpose of Holyrood is not simply to mitigate the impact of UK austerity and policies like these make the case for Scotland having the powers of a normal independent nation.”