CHEAPER bills could be on the cards for people on the Isle of Wight after the government announced grants of more than £440,000 to fund energy projects.
The cash is part of £46 million worth of grants awarded nationally to help reduce fuel poverty, boost energy efficiency, and encourage collective switching and group purchasing.
The Isle of Wight Council bid for the money from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and is one of only a handful of local authorities to have been successful in securing funding across all three areas.
They have been given £101,850 for work to reduce fuel poverty, £250,974 as part of the Pioneer Places scheme to encourage innovation and £88,927 to establish group purchasing schemes.
Energy secretary Edward Davey said: "We need to find new ways to help people with their energy bills, working with communities and councils across the country.
"The projects we are funding will help people save energy and save money: helping the most vulnerable to heat their homes, getting the Green Deal market up and running and encouraging people to switch energy suppliers to get their bills down.
"This £46million will help local councils across England upgrade inefficient heating kit as well as creating demand for and installing insulation under the Green Deal in homes across their local areas.
"Funding will also be used to drive forward collective purchasing and switching initiatives at a local level, helping consumers get a better deal on their energy bills. I am delighted so many organisations want to run new co-operative schemes to help people, especially the fuel poor, to get the best deals in the market."
Reporter: ross.findon@iwcp.co.uk