Look out for your energy survey – and the chance to win a cash prize

An Orkney-wide energy efficiency survey will drop though letter boxes over the weeks ahead.

Starting this week, the survey is being sent to homes across the county.

“We are working alongside various partners to improve energy efficiency, tackle fuel poverty and further enhance Orkney’s position as the forerunner in the fields of renewable and sustainable energy,” said Luke Fraser, from Orkney Islands Council’s Education, Leisure and Housing service.

“The survey is designed to provide invaluable information to help us do this, ensuring all of our efforts are focussed as effectively as possible.

“It is being sent to every home in our local community and we would be very grateful if householders take the time to fill in the form and return it to us in the pre-paid envelope provided.”

Alternatively, the Orkney Household Energy Efficiency Survey can be completed online.

All householders who provide their name, address and postcode will be entered in a prize draw. Six prizes of £100 will be awarded, courtesy of two of the partners involved in the survey, Aquatera and Firefly Energi (Orkney).

The information the survey provides will help with the targeting of future insultation and heating programmes in Orkney, aid the development of a Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Scheme for the islands, and maximise the benefits of the multi-partner ReFLEX Orkney project, which is led by the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC).

Neil Kermode, Managing Director at EMEC, and Co-chair of Orkney Renewable Energy Forum said: “Orkney has been leading the development and uptake of renewable energy for decades, and the local community is at the heart of this revolution with some of the highest uptakes of microgeneration and electric cars across the UK. The ReFLEX Orkney project will build on Orkney’s pioneering history to ensure our county continues to lead the world to a decarbonised future by integrating local electricity, heat and transport networks. For us to do this, the more we can understand about the local housing stock, vehicle usage, and community aspirations and priorities, the better we can meet local needs.”

Householders are asked to complete and return their survey forms by 17:00 on Friday 27 September.