A new £1m annual prize fund to inspire innovative ways of improving the energy efficiency of Scotland's housing sector has been launched.

Minister for the Environment Michael Russell today announced that the Scottish Energy Efficiency Design Awards will be open to applications from April this year.

The awards will focus on innovation and design solutions to encourage the development of low carbon buildings, with a particular emphasis on housing.

Giving the keynote address to delegates at the Scottish Energy & Environment Conference in Glasgow, Mr Russell said: "The Scottish Energy Efficiency Design Awards awards will help us find pioneering and affordable solutions that can inspire others. Housing providers, the building and construction industry, householders and communities will all be encouraged to come up with innovative solutions.

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"The awards will also help drive sustainable economic growth by encouraging innovation, research and development of new low carbon products and services, cutting fuel bills and fuel poverty in the process."

Maf Smith, Director of the Sustainable Development Commission Scotland said tackling energy efficiency in existing homes will be critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and help reduce the size of people's energy bills.

"However, it's well known that many of Scotland's older homes are hard to heat and measures to improve them complex or expensive. Action by the Scottish Government to look at this problem and encourage better solutions is therefore very welcome."

The Scottish Energy Efficiency Design Awards are based on a manifesto commitment for a £1m award to bring together designers, the construction and manufacturing industries to create the best energy efficiency solutions for Scotland. The Energy Saving Trust will manage the Design Awards.

(GK/JM)