Helping Scottish councils deliver energy efficiency programmes through PfH Scotland’s procurement solutions
The problem: Complex funding and tight delivery deadlines
Energy efficiency is a strategic priority for Scottish councils, but navigating the funding landscape can be challenging. With multiple sources – including Scottish Government’s Area Based Schemes, council capital investment, and energy company contributions – councils often rely on managing agents to help identify funding streams and draft proposals.
East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, and Dumfries & Galloway Councils partnered with the Energy Agency to deliver large-scale energy efficiency programmes. These projects needed to be delivered within tight annual funding deadlines, requiring a fast, compliant route to market for specialist contractors.
Previous procurement routes had yielded limited tender returns, restricting competition and slowing progress.
The solution: Flexible procurement through PfH Scotland
To meet these challenges, the Energy Agency accessed PfH Scotland’s procurement solutions, including our Decarbonisation & Retrofit Framework, Capital Works DPS and Asset & Decarbonisation DPS. These solutions provided a compliant, efficient route to market and enabled access to a diverse pool of high-quality suppliers.
We supported the Energy Agency throughout the tendering process – facilitating mini-competitions, engaging local suppliers, and ensuring all procurement activity aligned with funding timelines and council requirements. Our flexible approach helped increase competitive tender submissions, improve value for money, and reduce the burden on council resources.
“Procurement for Housing provides a framework of competent energy efficiency contractors that enables Local Authorities to procure works efficiently. We’ve successfully delivered projects using their framework, and it will continue to be a critical mechanism to achieve our goals.”
Chris Carroll, Housing Policy Coordinator, South Ayrshire Council
“Everyone from the Energy Agency and their contractors were really pleasant and helpful. The workmen were very efficient. My house looks much better and is warmer without me having to run my heating for so long.
Mrs S, Kilmarnock, tenant
“PfH Scotland has been an exceptional partner, providing a compliant and efficient route to market with a diverse selection of high-quality suppliers. Compared to other providers, PfH consistently delivered more quality tender returns, especially in rural areas. Their support throughout the process saved us time and resources. Choosing PfH Scotland has proven to be a strategic decision.”
Andrew Filby, Senior Project Development Manager, Energy Agency
The results: £70M delivered, 9,000 homes improved, £90M saved
Since 2013, the Energy Agency has delivered over £70 million of energy efficiency projects across the three councils, benefiting more than 9,000 households. These measures – primarily external wall insulation – have improved thermal performance, protected ageing housing stock, and supported regeneration.
The programmes are expected to reduce over 400,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions over their lifetime and save residents more than £90 million in fuel bills. This has had a significant impact on household budgets, especially in rural and low-income communities.
Since 2020, PfH Scotland’s frameworks have supported £20 million worth of procurement activity across these projects, helping councils meet their Net Zero goals.