Energy minister David Kidney visited Watford today to announce a grant scheme for renewable energy technology for schools and hospitals worth £45 million.

He said: “I want to give people money.”

Mr Kidney, Parliamentary Under Secretary for State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), toured BRE (Building Research Establishment) in Bucknalls Lane this morning.

There he revealed details of the Government's £45 million Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase Two extension for public sector buildings such as schools and hospitals or third sector buildings like charities and volunteer groups.

He said: “We give them money to implement renewable energy technology in their buildings. Even in this tough financial climate the Government still finds money for this because it's so important.”

Since 2006, £131 million has been spent on Phase One, which has provided 50 per cent grants for private households to use the same technology, such as solar panels and wind turbines.

Mr Kidney was also at BRE to meet people from Watford to tell them how they can live more sustainably, in line with the Government's Act on CO2 programme.

He said: “It's a scary future so it's important people understand that.”

Asked why some people may not feel they can make an impact on the fight against climate change, he said: “We're all individuals so we all have different reasons. For some people it's political reasons or they haven't got the significance [of climate change]. For others it's an issue of money and that's where these grants come in.

“We have got to reassure people there's something they can do about it and they can make a difference.”

BRE representative Linda McKeown said more than 40 projects in Hertfordshire had already claimed more than £1 million in funding, including four projects in Watford.

She said: “BRE manages the Low Carbon Buildings Programme on behalf of DECC.

“BRE is delighted to be involved with the scheme which represents is a very positive and practical response to carbon reduction in buildings. Also community projects like schools and village halls which can benefit from the scheme have the power to influence the broader community in raising awareness of and encouraging the take up of renewable technologies, so the potential impact of a scheme like this is significant.

“We also manage the Community Sustainable Energy Programme on behalf of the Big Lottery Fund - this is similar to the LCBP in that it is a renewable energy grants scheme aimed at community-based projects in the UK.

“We would encourage more local projects to get involved with these schemes reap the benefits.”