What?
ENLEN is a community led energy saving project, working in the East Neuk of Fife for the benenfit of the local community. ENLEN aims to reduce CO2 emissions, cut household fuel bills and help people improve their properties.
Why?
Reducing the amount of energy needed in homes and businesses makes sense for lots of reasons:
- Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing us today. Evidence shows that average global temperature is increasing, which in turn is leading to rises in sea levels along with increased incidences of extreme weather systems. Greenhouse gases produced by the burning of coal, oil and gas in power stations and our own homes is a contributor to this. Whilst changing to renewable electricity production is part of the solution, it is much better to reduce the energy we use in the first place. If action is taken now we will be able to mitigate the detrimental effects climate change is having, not only on a global level but also here in Scotland.
- The cost of energy has risen dramatically in recent years, so saving energy will also save you money - every year......
- In some cases, it's not about saving money, but simply being able to get your house warm, without drafts, condensation and cold spots.
But it can be hard to find out what the best way of saving energy is, especially if you don't know which tradesman to ask, are worried how much it will cost, don't know how to fill in the forms, or have a slightly unusual house. The East Neuk and Landward Joint Community Councils Forum hope that a community approach will give personal help to everybody who wants it, and allow the East Neuk and Landward communities to pull together to tackle climate change and fuel poverty.
How?
The Climate Challenge Fund has been set up by the Scottish Government to help communities make a real difference by significantly reducing carbon emissions.We aim to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases produced by households and small businesses in the East Neuk and Landward area, whilst enabling affordable energy bills and comfortable homes.
The Energy Network will provide local solutions, including free energy audits and advice, then offer personal support to guide householders through the various schemes currently on offer including cavity and loft insulation, draught proofing and possibly new double glazing, heating controls and boiler systems. This might include contacting companies on your behalf, giving you a hand with filling in forms, or being around to help supervise the installation.
We can help you work out your carbon footprint, and show you how to take meter readings to check your bills and track your progress. Portable smart meters will also be distributed, installed and explained to help you take control of your electricity consumption.
As we're working closely with Fife council, we will also be able to pass on any queries you might have about benefit entitlement, or energy saving work that needs doing to council-owned properties.
Who?
Energy Co-ordinator, Joanna Nicholson, is leading on the set up and administration of the Network, bringing to the project expertise in giving professional energy advice and several years experience of running energy saving projects and working with communities.
6 part time Energy Champions have been recruited to work in their own communities giving energy advice and being the first point of contact for householders.
The project is overseen by a Management Committee, comprising a representative of the Joint Community Forum, Martin Dibley, one elected member of Fife Council, the Fife Council Locality Manager (Fiona Mitchell) and one representative from St Andrews University (David Stutchfield, the University's Energy Officer, who will offer further specialist advice to the project). This committee will take responsibility for directing and evaluating the project as well as giving practical support to the East Neuk and Landward Energy Network team.
For more information on who is working on this project see the 'about us' page.
