The City of Edinburgh Council has won a £20,400 windfall by demonstrating an outstanding commitment to energy efficiency in a competition run by leading utility, ScottishPower.

The Housing Department of The City of Edinburgh Council plans to use the grant to undertake energy saving measures including overcladding and installation of wall insulation. The residents of Hutchison House, Moat Drive and Forteviot House, Moredun will benefit from the fund programme. Work on Hutchinson House is already underway with work on Forteviot House starting later in the year.

Douglas Esslemont, Head of Housing Conditions at The City of Edinburgh Council comments: "The award will support and contribute towards the Warmburgh Plan, the authority's strategy for improving the energy efficiency of all housing in the city. This partnership with ScottishPower is the latest in a series of joint initiatives which have brought real benefits and savings to residents in the city. "

Lorraine Dunsire, Energy Efficiency Project Manager at ScottishPower comments: "It is important for us as a company to act in a socially responsible manner by providing affordable energy to households from all sections of the community. The City of Edinburgh Council's strong commitment to energy efficiency makes them the ideal recipient of this award. ScottishPower is therefore delighted to be able to help the Council help their tenants reduce fuel costs, improve levels of comfort and reduce environmental impact."

The Energy Efficiency competition was open to local authorities and housing associations and is part of ScottishPower's three year £5.4 million Energy Efficiency drive.