Green scheme

A SCHEME that helped public buildings in Shetland improve their energy efficiency is being rolled out across Scotland after it reached the finals of the Scottish Green Awards on Wednesday evening.

The Community Energy Efficiency Programme (CEEP) saw 32 community groups across Shetland scoop up a total of 43 grants worth a total of £355,000 to retrofit 26 buildings to reduce their energy bills and their carbon footprint.

The joint initiative by Shetland Islands Council and Community Energy Scotland filled a funding gap stopping voluntary groups going greener.

Measures including insulation, draft proofing, energy efficient lighting and building wind breaks.

SIC’s grants coordinator Michael Duncan said: “Groups have seen a vast improvement in usage levels within facilities. Energy and carbon reductions could range from 12 to 48 percent less once all improvement works have been carried out.”

SIC leader Gary Robinson, who went to the ceremony in Edinburgh ahead of a COSLA meeting in the capital, added: “I’m delighted that we made it to the finals for such a innovative partnership scheme.

“The funding was spread throughout Shetland from Ness Boating Club to Fetlar Museum Trust and Walls Hall to Livister Youth Centre and I’m very pleased we’ve been able to assist in this way.”

Community Energy Scotland chief executive Micholas Gubbins said the scheme had been such a success they were rolling it out in the western isles and hoped to extend it further across the country.