THOUSANDS of homes are set to benefit from a £12million scheme aimed at cutting energy bills and tackling fuel poverty.

More than 2000 homes in Renfrewshire will benefit from the energy efficient improvements, which will also support local jobs.

The scheme, jointly funded by power supplier E.ON, Linstone Housing and the Scottish Government, will see homes fitted with external solid wall insulation, cavity wall insulation and loft insulation where needed, saving families hundreds of pounds on their annual fuel bills.

This is the first year of the scheme targeting properties in Paisley, Linwood and Johnstone.

The second year could see an extra investment of £16m - helping a further 2000 homes.

Don Leiper, director of Energy Efficiency at E.ON, said: "Energy efficiency schemes like this bring real benefits to communities, not only to the people whose homes will be more comfortable and affordable to heat, but we also hope to see benefits spreading out to Renfrewshire's small businesses, who will be invited to tender to deliver this work.

"We already have teams working from our new base in Scotland and a depot not far from this scheme, which goes to prove projects like this can help grow the Scottish economy."

The majority of the properties involved belong to Linstone Housing and measures will be provided free of charge to tenants, through funding from Linstone and E.ON. It is hoped that home improvements will also be available to more than 700 privately-owned or rented properties as well, either free or at very little cost.

David Adam, director of Housing and Property Services at Linstone Housing, said: "We are delighted to see the contract being finalised with E.ON.

"E.ON met its previous energy efficiency targets, which convinced us that our tenants will see real benefits.

"This scheme will help around 2000 households with their energy bills and we can't wait to get started."

Work is scheduled to run until March 2015.

Ahead of the work, a site office will be set up and a tenant liaison officer will be able to provide householders with information they need.

Open days are also planned to give people further information on the scope of works.

E.ON is providing £8m for the scheme through the Energy Company Obligation, which is designed to help people living in both privately owned and rented homes.

Mr Leiper added: "Energy efficiency schemes have been in the headlines for the wrong reasons recently but we should not lose sight of the fact that across the country there are millions of families living in homes that are in desperate need of improvement.

"It's vital that we continue to improve the fabric of our homes and reduce the amount of energy our customers use.

"That is exactly what we are doing here in Renfrewshire."

The Energy Saving Trust estimates that cavity wall insulation can cut an average £140 from annual heating bills.

stef.lach@ eveningtimes.co.uk