HUNDREDS of households have applied for a subsidy for low-carbon heating, such as an air-source pump or electric boiler.
In May, a new incentive scheme was launched by the government, with property owners able to apply for up to £5,000 of support, which would be matched, with more money available for low-income families.
Giving an update to Scrutiny this week, Assistant Environment Minister Hilary Jeune, who has responsibility for Jersey’s carbon-neutral plan, said that applications to get an Energy Performance Certificate – which must be obtained before applying for a subsidy – had gone up to 100 a week immediately after the launch.
It had since dropped to around 40 a week but the Deputy said she was ‘very pleased’ with the scheme so far.
Currently, 45 households have completed the whole process, which involves an approved contractor carrying out a home energy audit, issuing an EPC, and then applying to the incentive scheme, which is managed by Jersey Electricity, for funding.
‘It has been very successful so far and shows the willingness of households to switch to low-carbon technologies,’ said Deputy Jeune. ‘This is also about up-skilling our workforce so that contractors have the knowledge to recommend the right heating system, and the expertise to maintain it afterwards.’
Deputy Jeune added that, later this summer, the scheme would be expanded to allow commercial property owners, landlords and social housing to apply.
The government’s Carbon Neutral Roadmap – which sets out its strategy to reduce carbon emissions to net-zero by 2050 – ringfences £23m to fund projects until 2026. Of that, £5.7m is set aside for the heating scheme, with the aim of supporting the installation of 1,000 systems before the end of 2025.
The roadmap includes a policy that no new oil or gas boilers will be allowed to be installed in Jersey from 2026. From 2030, there will also be no new registrations of diesel- or petrol-burning cars.
nMore information on the incentive can be found on: gov.je/benefits/grants/environmental/pages/lowcarbonheatingincentive.aspx
