Scots are to be offered homes with ZERO energy bills under a new green scheme from an energy provider.
The ‘Zero Bills’ tariff run by energy supplier Octopus enables customers to move into homes that are fully kitted out with state-of-the-art green tech – including a heat pump, a battery and solar panels. And the “game-changing” project eliminates all energy bills for householders who take up the opportunity for at least the first 10 years of living in the property.
The Zero Bills initiative is now being expanded to Scotland after being successfully rolled out in parts of England, Germany and New Zealand – with an aim of benefiting 100,000 households by 2030. In the most recent year of data, 2022, windy Scotland generated the equivalent of 113 per cent of its electricity consumption from renewable sources – which Octopus said made it the “perfect next location” for the project.
And it follows the introduction by the Scottish Government of the New Build Heat Standard, which has since last April required all new homes to be built with low-carbon heating systems. The energy provider is working with MAST Architects on the design of Scotland’s first Zero Bills homes and has partnered with housing body Homes for Scotland to help deliver the scheme.
Jim Bennett, Zero Bills Scotland director at Octopus Energy, said: “With the New Build Heat Standard legislation in place, now is the perfect time to bring ‘Zero Bills’ to Scotland. This initiative not only eliminates energy bills but also offers homes equipped with cutting-edge green technology, ensuring sustainable, future-proof living for residents.”
Jane Wood, CEO of Homes For Scotland, said: “New homes in Scotland are already built to the highest technical standards which makes the ‘Zero Bills’ initiative even more exciting. We are delighted that Octopus is aligning itself with a sector which lies at the heart of the Scottish Government’s net zero agenda and to support it in its ambitions to change the energy system.”
Michael Jarvis, director of MAST Architects, added: “Addressing fuel poverty and improving people’s livelihoods through the creation of energy-efficient homes is at the heart of our work. We are thrilled to collaborate with Octopus on developing Scotland’s first Zero Bills homes.
“These innovative projects will not only reduce energy costs but completely eliminate them, helping to eradicate fuel poverty.” Octopus has already accredited more than 1000 ‘Zero Bills’ homes through contracts with prominent developers elsewhere in the UK and abroad, encompassing affordable and private rental homes as well as private and shared ownership.
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