A project at Pennyburn in Kilwinning will provide over 60 households with upgraded roofing, solar panels and insulation to offset energy inflation
More than 60 households in Kilwinning are set to benefit from a £4.5 million programme of energy-efficiency improvements, as Union Technical and Riverside Scotland prepare to begin work on homes in Pennyburn.
The eight-month project will see 69 properties upgraded with measures including reroofing, in-roof solar PV, battery storage, new windows and doors, cavity wall insulation, external wall insulation and ventilation upgrades.
The works will make homes warmer and more energy efficient while supporting efforts to tackle fuel poverty amid rising energy costs. Tackling soaring energy bills was a key feature of the UK Autumn Budget.
The programme follows the successful completion of an initial retrofit project across 30 properties and a feasibility study led by Union Technical, which helped Riverside Scotland secure funding through the Scottish Housing Net Zero Fund.
Importantly, residents will be able to remain in their homes while the work is carried out, with the project also expected to deliver wider benefits for the local community through employment opportunities.
Chris Cogan, Construction Director at Union Technical, said:
“Social landlords across Scotland face the challenge of improving older homes, tackling fuel poverty and meeting modern energy standards, often with limited budgets. A whole-house approach allows us to address these challenges together, delivering long-term improvements rather than short-term fixes.
“By working with landlords from the initial feasibility stage through to delivery, we can identify the best solutions for their housing stock and help secure the funding needed to make them happen. Our work with Riverside Scotland in Kilwinning is a great example of this approach, building on the success of the first phase to deliver further improvements for residents.
“Ultimately, it’s about making homes warmer, healthier, more comfortable and energy efficient, while minimising disruption for tenants and creating lasting benefits for the wider community.”
The programme marks a significant next step in the partnership between Union Technical and Riverside Scotland, demonstrating how collaborative planning, technical expertise and targeted investment can help deliver lasting improvements to existing homes.
The first phase of the retrofit project at Pennyburn won Large Scale Project of the Year at the Scotland Energy Efficiency Awards 2026. It is also shortlisted in several categories at the Chartered Institute of Housing awards, being held in November.
Heather Duff, Head of Asset and Sustainability at Riverside Scotland, said:
“The success of the first phase at Pennyburn has demonstrated what can be achieved for our homes and our customers when we take a strategic, whole-house approach to investment.
“For Riverside Scotland, this is not simply about delivering individual energy efficiency measures. It is about investing in our homes in a way that improves their quality and performance, makes them warmer and more comfortable for customers, and ensures they are more sustainable for the future.
“This next phase builds on those strong foundations, extending the benefits to a further 69 homes and allowing us to make a much greater impact across the Pennyburn community.
“Our partnership with Union Technical has been key to that journey. Their technical expertise, alongside our understanding of our homes and customers, has enabled us to develop an ambitious programme, secure the investment needed to deliver it and, most importantly, turn that investment into tangible improvements for our customers.
“By helping to make homes warmer and more energy efficient, we are supporting customers through rising energy costs while investing in the long-term sustainability of our homes and communities.”
Founded in 2015 by Owen Coyle and Michael Sweeney, Union Technical specialises in energy services – providing housing associations, tenants, and private homeowners with retrofitting measures designed to make homes warmer, more sustainable, and cheaper to heat. The firm has also developed its own whole-house, patented Smarter Homes approach, creating a new way to upgrade homes.
For further information about Union Technical, please visit: uniontechnical.co.uk
For further information about Riverside Scotland, please visit: Riverside Scotland | Riverside Scotland