The government has allocated $500,000 to provide energy-efficiency upgrades to lower-income Caymanian homeowners struggling with high utility bills.
Depending on the property, these could include insulation, upgraded air conditioning, sealing the building envelope, LED lighting, Energy Star-rated appliances or smart thermostats.
The Ministry of Sustainability and Climate Resiliency launched the pilot Cayman Home Energy Efficiency Retrofits (CHEER) programme on Tuesday, 11 July, and is accepting applications.
Priority consideration will be given to the elderly, families with children, and people with disabilities or diagnosed health conditions, the ministry said in a press release announcing the launch.
Non-profit organisation Resilience Cayman will deliver the programme.
Premier Wayne Panton, who is also the minister for sustainability and climate resiliency, said it will help lower the cost of living for Caymanians, adding, “Saving energy saves money.”
It will also advance implementation of the National Energy Policy 2017-2037 which pledges support for energy-efficiency retrofits of existing buildings, he said in the release.
“This summer’s record heat demonstrates that the energy crisis, the cost of living crisis and the climate crisis are all interlinked,” Panton added.
“Programmes like this one that support our people, our economy and our environment, help make the Cayman Islands more sustainable, benefitting current and future generations.”
To be eligible for the programme, applicants must be Caymanian, own their own home of less than 2,500 square feet and be living in it, have a total household income of no more than $4,000, and have a monthly energy consumption of at least 2,000 kWh.
A trained energy professional will carry out an energy audit at approved homes before they receive specially tailored energy-saving upgrades.
Resilience Cayman chair Jan Gupta said: “The programme is very timely and welcomed by many families in Cayman who are struggling to keep up with their energy bills, especially as we enter the hottest months.
“It will also provide us with an opportunity to assist many homeowners to retrofit their homes towards a more sustainable energy future.”
Once the initial $500,000 has been used, the ministry will evaluate the programme and consider opportunities for extending the initiative, subject to funding approval.
Panton said the programme is one of several the government has launched since 2021 to address the escalating cost of living.
Last year, it launched the Electricity Assistance Programme to offer direct subsidies to residential customers with monthly consumption between 101 and 2,000 kWh.
The government also waived the import duty on energy-efficient devices and building materials.
And it won two grants from the Caribbean-wide Resilience, Sustainable Energy and Marine Biodiversity Programme for increased energy efficiency in government buildings and affordable homes.
Applications can be submitted now at www.resilience.ky/energy and the deadline is 31 August. They will be assessed on a first come, first served basis, Panton said.
Resilience Cayman has issued a request for proposal for contractors interested in taking part in this project.
They can visit https://www.resilience.ky/contractors to learn more and submit a bid.
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