The Enterprise Minister has apologised to those waiting for an energy efficiency survey which is part of the Green Living Grant, as the department tries to tackle the backlog.

In the House of Keys last week, Rushen MHK Michelle Haywood asked Alex Allinson about the progress that’s been made with the grant and what plans he had to address the backlog in Manx home energy audits.

Dr Allinson explained that the scheme, which provides grants to homeowners, tenants and landlords to improve the energy efficiency of properties to help achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, has been open for initial applications since October.

Since then, it’s received 1,358 applications, 1,342 of which have been approved for their Manx home energy audit, 12 have been declined and three are awaiting processing.

The department is currently ’finalising a procurement process in order to secure the services of suitably qualified domestic energy assessors’, according to Dr Allinson.

This process is ’in its final stages with contracts due to be awarded imminently’.

The minister said: ’I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to those who have applied for the scheme and who have had to wait over the Christmas period to be given a date for their initial energy efficiency survey.

’The department has attempted to be clear with applicants with regard to the time scales in which the initial energy audit will be completed.

’These time scales are noted in the scheme’s guidance, within the application form itself and also within the email which acknowledges successful receipt of the application.

’Initially, audits would have commenced when the scheme opened for applications.

’However, it was important to ensure that the operation of the scheme was soundly established and that robust processes were followed in respect of procurement to ensure that value for money was achieved in respect of the audit element of overall funding available.’

Additional training is being provided to those carrying out the energy audits.

He added: ’In terms of the procurement process for more people to carry out these audits, that has now been undertaken and we hope to have a range of different providers for these energy audits, so that we can clear the backlog as soon as possible.’