ONE OF the largest regional energy efficiency initiatives in the UK history is said to bring up to 140 new jobs and major money savings for Cornish residents.
Today sees the launch of Glow Cornwall at Carn Brea in Camborne, which is one of the largest ever regional energy efficiency funding initiatives in the country.
Under the new partnership between British Gas and Cornwall Council, the energy company has allocated up to an initial £50 million to energy efficiency works in Cornwall as well as help to access up to £50m of third party Green Deal funding.
The initiative is set to generate up to 140 new jobs, bring long term business to local companies and contractors and save tens of thousands of residents both energy and money.
Julian German, Cornwall Council's portfolio holder for economy and culture said of the new partnership: "It is fantastic to see British Gas investing in a base in Cornwall and working with us at Cornwall Council to bring so many permanent new jobs and contracts here.
"This is the first wave of what we hope will be around 40 jobs based in Cornwall, with around another 100 being either created or supported in the Green Deal and ECO assessment and installation sectors.
"British Gas has also committed to ensuring that 60% of the Green Deal installations will be undertaken by local small and medium sized companies, setting the foundations for further stimulus to the local economy."
The scheme is the first of its type in the country and is designed to help Cornish residents tackle energy challenges, with a particular focus on vulnerable households and older hard to treat homes.
As part of the Government's Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and Green Deal programmes, Glow Cornwall is designed to reduce the amount of energy Cornish homes use and help to cut fuel bills across one of the most environmentally friendly counties in the country.
Glow Cornwall will focus on providing energy efficiency for eligible residents who could benefit from discounted or free new boilers, insulation and other energy saving measures over the next five years.
In addition to those who are eligible for free or discounted measures, those who can utilise the Green Deal will have the opportunity to absorb the costs of measures into their energy bill.
British Gas' fuel poverty director Stuart Margerrison said: "Glow Cornwall has already brought new employees from across the county on board and we have many more exciting job opportunities available. We're all looking forward to working right across Cornwall to immediately reduce energy bills and make heating more affordable for tens of thousands of local homes."
The Glow Cornwall team will be at the Green Cornwall Show 2013 at Heartlands on June 27 and 28 and interested residents should either visit www.glowcornwall.co.uk or call 0800 316 4425 for more information.
