The government has announced the winners of the Renewable Heat Premium Payment scheme. Twenty-four social housing providers across the UK have been awarded a £4 million fund to install green heating systems. According to DECC, half of the UK’s carbon emissions come from the energy used to generate heat.

After 125 bids from around the UK, the 24 successful applicants will each receive up to £175,000 to install heating systems such as biomass boilers, solar hot water panels and heat pumps in the homes of tenants.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said: “This scheme directly targets many of the people who could struggle to pay their heating bills in the winter and I am pleased so many social housing organisations across the country will be able to get a share of the cash. It will encourage an increase in the number of new heating technologies in social housing and help people deal with expensive fuel costs.”

The £4 million pot is part of the £15 million Renewable Heat Premium Payment budget. The scheme allows householders to apply for support for a range of different green heating technologies.