Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar has welcomed £2.2 million in funding from the Scottish Government’s Heat and Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Scheme (HEES: ABS) for 2026-27.

Through HEES: ABS, households can receive funding for a range of energy efficiency improvements, including loft insulation, internal wall insulation, and under-floor insulation.

Delivery of the scheme is managed by Warmworks on behalf of Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar. Warmworks has been working across the Western Isles since 2015, delivering the Scottish Government’s national fuel poverty scheme, Warmer Homes Scotland, and was appointed delivery partner for HEES: ABS in 2023.

Warmworks has supported over 320 households across the Western Isles through HEES: ABS, installing more than 390 energy efficiency improvements, helping make homes warmer, more energy efficient and more affordable to heat.

One Isle of Lewis resident who benefitted from HEES: ABS said: “We have noticed a huge difference. Two rooms that were previously uninhabitable due to the cold are now being used by our family. Our home only takes 20 minutes to fully heat up, and we have also noticed that our oil usage is a fraction of what it was three years ago.”

Warmworks has an office in Stornoway and works with local companies to install energy efficiency improvements for eligible households.

Cllr. Donald Crichton, chair of Sustainable Development Committee, Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar, said: “The Comhairle is delighted that, in recognition of the success of our ongoing partnership working with Warmworks, the Scottish Government has awarded £2.2m to deliver the HEES: ABS in the Outer Hebrides for 2026/27.

“The Outer Hebrides has the third-equal highest levels of fuel poverty in the United Kingdom. Improving homes and decreasing buildings’ contribution to climate change is the second priority of the Local Housing Strategy 2026/27 to 2030/31 – the Comhairle’s key strategic document for planning and delivering initiatives to reduce fuel poverty and improve home energy efficiency.

“This funding will facilitate the necessary ongoing measures to reduce energy bills and offer higher standards of warmth to households in our community for whom fuel poverty is currently an unacceptable reality.

“The £2.2m funding exceeds the initial grant awarded for all previous years since the introduction of Area Based Schemes in 2013, and reflects the excellent work being undertaken in delivering the Scheme locally.”

Nicola Mcleod, Warmworks’ managing director for Scotland, said: “This £2.2 million investment will help more households across the Western Isles reduce their energy costs and enjoy warmer homes. At a time when many people remain concerned about heating bills, this support will make a real difference to communities.

“We remain committed to helping people live in warmer, healthier, and more affordable homes. I would strongly encourage anyone interested in finding out more about how to make their home warmer and more energy efficient to get in touch with the local team, whether that be giving them a call or visiting our Stornoway office.”