Scottish Renewables has issued a formal response to the UK Government's launch of the Warm Homes Plan, a comprehensive £15 billion initiative scheduled over the next five years.

The plan is designed to facilitate a nationwide roll-out of insulation and heating upgrades, with specific new funding allocated for heat pumps, solar panels, and battery storage technologies.

The industry body highlighted a growing policy gap in Scotland following the Scottish Government's announcement in November. Ministers confirmed they would not introduce the Heat in Buildings Bill before the upcoming Scottish Election in May, a decision Scottish Renewables previously labelled as "deeply disappointing."

Morag Watson, Director of Onshore at Scottish Renewables, emphasised the importance of a clear strategy to lower energy costs: "The installation of clean heat solutions, from heat networks and pumps to solar panels and insulation, is central to lowering household costs for good. That means tackling fuel poverty and cutting emissions together.

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"A clean energy system for the UK will empower households and businesses with control and flexibility over their energy use. The Warm Homes Plan provides a strong route forward for the transformation of how we heat our homes and businesses.

"Building on today's publication and the recent delay to Scotland's Heat in Buildings Bill, the next Scottish Government must prioritise the strategic approach needed to decarbonise heat. We need to build more heat networks, provide funding schemes which are easier to understand and make electricity more affordable by producing more clean energy.

"Scottish Renewables will continue to work closely with our members to drive the solutions needed at all levels of government and industry to grasp the opportunity clearly outlined in the Warm Homes Plan."

The UK Government's plan aims to upgrade approximately five million homes, potentially lifting up to one million families out of fuel poverty by 2030. Scottish Renewables maintains that for Scotland to meet its own 2045 net-zero targets, the next parliamentary session must treat heat decarbonisation with high priority.