boost for island households facing fuel poverty
Tighean Innse Gall (TIG) has delivered almost £800,000 in financial support for households across the Western Isles through its Outer Hebrides Energy Support Hub.
The two-year project, funded through the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme (managed by The Energy Saving Trust) has supported more than 1,300 households across the islands, helping residents access energy advice, financial support and practical measures to keep their homes warm.
Delivered by TIG’s Energy Advisory Service, the project helped households access almost £800,000 worth of support through successful benefit claims, energy-efficiency improvements, heating vouchers, debt support and help resolving issues with energy suppliers.
The support comes as households across the Western Isles continue to face some of the highest levels of fuel poverty in Scotland.
Findings from the Outer Hebrides Energy Support Hub project highlight the scale of the challenge locally, with a sample of more than 300 homes supported in 2025/26 showing 83% were experiencing fuel poverty and the remaining 17% were at risk of falling into fuel poverty. Households supported through the project had an average annual income of £17,344, with average heating costs of £2,378 per year, placing significant pressure on already stretched budgets.
Throughout the project, TIG provided wide-ranging support including issuing heating vouchers to 202 households, helping residents resolve complex energy supplier issues, accessing new appliances, and supporting people through changes such as the RTS meter switch-off. The team also attended 60 community events and delivered 18 workshops and information sessions, ensuring support reached people across the islands.
Kirsty MacLeod, Energy Advice Manager at Tighean Innse Gall (TIG), said: “Over the last two years, the Outer Hebrides Energy Support Hub has provided practical, one-to-one support to households facing increasingly complex challenges with energy costs, heating their homes and dealing with suppliers.
“Behind these figures are real people and families who were struggling, often with nowhere else to turn. The support provided through this project has helped people access the help they were entitled to, resolve long-standing issues and feel more confident managing their energy needs.
“We are incredibly proud of the impact achieved and the partnerships built across the islands, which have helped ensure support reaches those who need it most.”
One resident supported through the project was referred to TIG following a serious health crisis which had left him unable to work and unable to heat his home for more than two months.
Through the support provided, TIG helped him access replacement appliances, heating support and wider financial advice. After being able to heat his home and cook hot meals again, he has since been able to return to work on a part-time basis. In total, the support provided to the household was worth more than £2,400.
Although this phase of the project has now concluded, TIG has secured further Energy Redress funding to continue delivering specialist energy advice and support across the Western Isles.