Boost in funding for low-carbon buildings

A further £35 million to support the installation of micro-generation technologies in pubic-sector buildings and those owned by charitable bodies has been received by Phase Two of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme. Applications for biomass boilers and heat pumps (both air source and water source) are currently being considered. The new funding sees the current programme deadline for grants to be made and installations to be completed extend from 1 July 2009 to April 2011 — up to the introduction of feed-in tariffs and the renewable-heat incentive. The upper limit for heat technologies has been raised to 300 kW. Organisations can apply for up to 50% of the cost of installing approved technologies up to a maximum of £200 000, although maximum grants may depend on the nature of the organisation. The programme is open to all products and installer companies registered on the Microgeneration Certification Scheme.