Scottish and Southern start new fuel poverty initiative in Scotland

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) have joined forces with Citizens Advice Scotland to launch a new fuel poverty initiative. The project, funded to the tune of £140,000 by SSEN, aims to provide energy advice to the most vulnerable of customers in the North of Scotland.

The partnership, said to be the first of its kind, will see the appointment of four specialist energy advisors who will work out of local Citizens Advice Bureaux. Targeted at the most vulnerable people in the North of Scotland, these advisors will provide in depth energy advice, to help households drive down their bills.

Managing director of Scottish and Southern said in a press release ,

“Addressing the issue of fuel poverty is something that will require continued collaboration and co-ordination, and, at SSEN, we are determined to play our part. I’m delighted to be able to launch this partnership and look forward to working closely with Citizens Advice Scotland to ensure the most vulnerable receive effective and impartial energy advice.

“Although providing advice may seem like a small step, the benefits that can be unlocked for the most vulnerable are significant. I’ve every confidence that by working in partnership with CAS, we can help those in fuel poverty access the critical support and assistance they require.”

Scottish and Southern Energy Networks (SSEN) say that this is a ‘first of its kind’ partnership and are fully funding the scheme out of their own finances. Working with the Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB), they want to offer ‘in depth, holistic and bespoke’ energy advice via the specialist advisors.

SSEN reviewed fuel poverty statistics and used their own vulnerability maps to determine which areas were most in need of support. As such, they picked Shetland, Western Isles, South West Aberdeenshire and East and Central Sutherland to receive funding.

Four specialist energy advisors are being recruited to work out of these CABs, with SSEN providing training and support on energy issues. For customers, these advisors will offer a range of support, including referrals to the Warm Home Discount Scheme, advice on switching supplier , referrals to Home Energy Scotland for grants and loans, billing problem support, benefits checks and referrals to the Priority Services Register.

The scheme is funded for one year, with delivery entirely conducted through the CAB.

Scottish and Southern have targeted the north of Scotland in response to research showing how much more people in these areas pay for their energy. Cornwall Insight recently published a study showing a north-south divide in energy costs in Scotland.

In their research, they found that households on prepayment meters typically pay around £100 more per year than those living in the south. The reasons for this are varied, but include issues such as:

·Limited availability of gas, leading to more homes heated with electricity or oil

·The lack of gas meaning cheaper dual fuel tariffs are not available

·Increased distribution costs, of around 2p/kWh, compared to the south of Scotland

·Disproportionate contributions to renewable energy schemes due to reliance on electricity

The analysis concluded that distribution costs in the north of Scotland are 45% higher than the UK’s average, and around a third more than those in the south. These increased distribution costs mean that even those who are connected to gas , such as households in Aberdeen, end up paying more for their supply than those in the south.

Comparing tariffs from energy suppliers , Cornwall Insight found that even the fixed and standard variable tariffs were priced significantly higher in the north. However, those who were hit the hardest were those on prepayment meters, who are typically the more vulnerable customers, unable to cope well with such increased overheads.

The four CABs chosen to participate in the SSEN scheme represent a wide area of coverage geographically, in places where fuel poverty is at its worst.