The funding will allow major modernisation of the heating systems throughout the complex. The Hill Road homes currently have a heating and hot water system which is reaching the end of its useful life. With the Net Zero funding secured, WSHA will replace this system with a more efficient, zero-emissions heating solution in the form of Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP) for each individual property.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and battery storage will also be installed. This will enable the generation of zero carbon electricity, reducing the amount of electricity imported from the grid and so lowering tenants’ energy bills and reducing carbon emissions. The inclusion of battery storage is WSHA’s first domestic install of this technology, and it will enable tenants to store any surplus energy generated via the solar PV panels during the daytime to make use of at a later time.

WSHA are committed to embedding sustainability across their business model. In summer 2023 the organisation implemented their first ever two-year Sustainability Strategy, with the goal of halving the organisation’s Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2030.

In addition to the Net Zero funding secured for Hill Road, in 2024 the organisation has also began a major programme of much-needed window replacements to homes in Charing Cross, Glasgow, upgrading the single-glazed windows in the properties to specially-made double-glazed sash-and-case style windows in keeping with the period details of the conservation area homes. Trials have also begun of innovative new heating solution, NexGen ‘Infrared’ wallpaper, to very positive initial feedback from tenants. With fuel poverty a key concern for tenants, these energy efficiency measures not only represent a commitment to carbon reduction, but a commitment to value for money for tenants.

Andrew Kubski, director of development & asset management at West of Scotland HA, said: “We are extremely grateful to have secured this award from the Scottish Government’s Net Zero funding. This has allowed us to bring forward our plans for Hill Road and I am confident that the tenants will see a real difference in the warmth of their homes and their fuel bills. Our highly skilled team are now working across a number of projects in helping us deliver our long-term strategy to decarbonise our housing stock. We are delighted to be working with Warmworks and leveraging their experience to help us meet this ambition.”

In addition to the £570,000 of Net Zero funding, WSHA will contribute £466,000 to the Hill Road project, to a total project cost of £1.036m. Consultant Warmworks will project manage the Hill Road installs alongside the WSHA team and is WSHA’s strategic partner in all sustainability work.