Npower hunts sponsors for ‘fuel for poor’

Npower is looking for sponsors to fund its Health Through Warmth scheme aimed at stamping out fuel poverty. The energy company is hoping that companies eager to be seen as “socially responsible” will sign up to the scheme.

The Health Through Warmth initiative was launched last year with a &£10m investment. It provides money to help the under-privileged make their homes more energy efficient and keep warmer at a lower cost. The scheme also provides money for projects such as insulation and discounts on fuel bills.

Npower director of energy services and social action Philip Kier says: “The scheme is already a partnership programme run with the aid of local councils to help identify fuel-poor households. What we are now aiming to do is sign up sponsors to help us raise the funding needed to reach such households.”

The company is also launching a solar energy product later this year, the energy company’s second foray into the renewable energy market (MW June 13). Last year npower teamed up with Greenpeace to launch Juice, an ethical product for consumers generated from wind and water.

This summer, rival British Gas launched a &£150m scheme, similar to Health Through Warmth, in partnership with local authorities and five charities (MW July 25). Called the Home Essentials for Life Project, the scheme will be promoted later this year through an ad campaign.

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