Westray Development Trust employed a part time fuel poverty project worker as one of the Big Lottery funded projects between 2007 and 2010. This project manager attended training in Microgeneration and Home Renewables, household efficiency and building standards relating to energy efficiency of homes, and qualified to undertake the full NHER survey of households from start to finish.
A project goal was to undertake an audit of all households in Westray to establish the level of Fuel Poverty and initiate a programme of education and works to bring households in Fuel Poverty up to the recognised standards. 135 full NHER surveys were done, and the Project Manager worked with the Energy Saving Scotland advice centre to follow up those households deemed most at risk. Households in Fuel Poverty were given advice on issues, options and potential sources of funding, and 2 public informational evenings were held.
In a scheme to tackle the worst houses, 9 householders have received Ground Source Heat Pumps, draught proofing and other efficiency measures. Other households were assisted to apply for the Energy Assistance Package from the government, or received free loft insulation through the Home Insulation Scheme. Westray Development Trust jointly received an Energy Savers Award with Energy Action Westray.