A total of 25 projects have benefited from almost £3m in funding over the last year, it has been reported.

The green projects reduced fuel poverty and was aimed at Councils and housing associations throughout Scotland.

The Warm Homes Fund was set up by the Scottish Government in order to provide loan and grant funding for renewable energy projects to support communities in fuel poverty. Projects are needed to be able to demonstrate that they will reduce fuel poverty within a community, either directly through provision of affordable warmth, or indirectly through investing the proceeds of renewable energy generation in the upgrading of existing housing stock. As such, the initiative provides grants and loans to help with the installation of renewable energy measures, such as renewable district heating, biomass, hydro schemes, wind turbines, solar PV and solar water heating.

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In addition to the above, the capital projects funded ranged from a biomass district heating scheme to heat 75 new-build housing association properties in Dunbeg, near Oban; to installing solar PV panels to sheltered housing developments in Tomintoul, Braemar, Insch, Ballater and Echt. While a housing co-operative based in Cambuslang was given a £1.5m loan towards a £7.5m scheme to see 543 homes connected to a renewable biomass boiler through a district heating system.

The Energy Saving Trust manages the Warm Homes Fund for the Scottish Government. Commenting on the scheme, Housing Minister Margaret Burgess, said: "Rising heating bills are a real concern for households across Scotland and the Warm Homes Fund is a key part of what the Scottish Government is doing to help.

"It is making a real difference to tenants of housing associations and councils, by helping their landlords develop renewable energy projects which cut energy bills this winter and for years ahead.

"Innovative green energy schemes like this can help households to heat their homes more cost effectively."

Mike Thornton, Director at Energy Saving Trust Scotland, added: "With help from the Scottish Government's Warm Homes Fund, many people the length and breadth of Scotland will have warmer, more efficient homes and lower fuel bills."

The £50 million Warm Homes Fund is available until March 2015.

(JP/CD)