Energy Minister Nigel Dodds today launched 'Solar Warmth', a joint grant initiative between the Government’s renewable energy grant programme, Reconnect and Phoenix Natural Gas.

Solar Warmth is a grant-aided scheme offering new Phoenix Natural Gas customers and Reconnect applicants an additional £400 top up grant.

It is limited to 50 grant payments from 1 October 2007 until 31 January 2008 and will assist customers who wish to install a high-efficiency natural gas condensing boiler alongside a Reconnect solar water heating panel installation.

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The £400 grant from Phoenix is available alongside Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment’s Reconnect solar panel grant of £1,125. This makes the total grant available for a combined system now £1,525.

Minister Dodds, speaking at the 11th Northern Ireland Gas Industry Conference at the Hilton in Templepatrick, said: "Solar Warmth provides an excellent opportunity for Northern Ireland to reap the benefits that combining natural gas and renewable technology can bring both for consumers, and in reducing Northern Ireland’s carbon emissions.

"I hope the scheme can build on the good work carried out to date through Reconnect and that it will encourage even more householders to integrate renewable technologies with the low carbon benefits of natural gas."

The Reconnect scheme is administered by Action Renewables on behalf of the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment.

(JM)