BUSINESS and job opportunities will be created after a European funding injection to improve energy efficiency in more than 2,000 Merseyside homes.

A £7.78m European Regional Development Fund award to the Renewables and Energy Efficiency in Community Housing (Reech) project will be matched by registered social landlords (RSL’s), local authority partners and British Gas to provide a total investment of £15.56m for the project covering Merseyside and Halton.

Sefton council is running the Reech project which aims to drive down fuel bills and carbon emissions in hard to treat properties in deprived areas.

Work will include the installation of external and internal wall insulation, air source heat pumps, solar water heating systems, LED lighting, passive and mechanical ventilation and gas savers.

A spokesman for the council said the programme will not only benefit and help stimulate eco-businesses which provide energy-saving products and services, but should lead to job opportunities.

“RSL’s will encourage construction skills, such as external wall insulation and scaffolders, supporting existing jobs and creating opportunities for apprenticeships.

“There will be a requirement for RSL delivery partners to create new jobs.”

Businesses will also be encouraged and supported to develop low carbon technologies for installation in social housing.

Councillor Ian Maher, Sefton’s cabinet member for regeneration and housing and chair of the Reech steering group, said: “The installation of new low carbon technology and increased awareness of the benefits will help provide the required impetus to grow the market for green energy technologies and build capacity in local supply chains.

“The project will contribute to reduce carbon emissions, helping to develop behavioural changes towards overall energy use and assist those households in fuel poverty.”

RSL’s in the project include Liverpool Housing Trust, Liverpool Mutual Homes, Plus Dane Group and Riverside.