Grants pay for new heating schemes in Havant and Portsmouth

Havant Borough Council and Portsmouth City Council are taking their share of a £1.5m windfall handed out to more than 20 local authorities.

The money will pay for schemes that lower bills and tackle fuel poverty.

Lord Bourne, parliamentary under secretary of state for energy and climate change, said: ‘The money that has been given to Havant and Portsmouth is part of a push to change the way that communities heat their homes, businesses and hospitals – using wasted heat to warm buildings, cut bills and reduce carbon emissions.

‘It is also an excellent example of how local people can work together with government to boost jobs and investment in their area.’

The cash will pay for new heating networks which use biomass or waste as fuel. Heating is then provided to buildings through insulated pipes carrying hot water. Experts believe up to 40 per cent of heating could be provided by the system by 2050.