ScottishPower today launched an alliance with the specialist housing charity HACT (Housing Association Charitable Trust) to promote gas, electricity and energy related products to the UK's 1.5 million housing association tenants and the sector's 95,000 employees.

ScottishPower was selected as preferred supplier following a comprehensive audit of a range of leading energy companies by HACT's commercial trading arm, HACT Housing Action Ltd.

The alliance will help the Scottish-based multi-utility offer a host of energy packages, and in return HACT benefits from the profits from its trading arm which will receive a premium for each tenant signed up, for use in its ongoing campaign to combat homelessness and improve the availability of suitable accommodation.

HACT Energy is the only comprehensive energy product designed for this sector. ScottishPower electricity and gas will be sold under the HACT Energy banner by HACT Housing Action Limited.

Customers will also be offered a range of HACT Energy services such as free energy efficiency check and membership of the ScottishPower's Carefree Register of customers with special needs. Special energy deals will be available for Housing Associations offices.

The initiative is one of several the ScottishPower has launched in the public housing sector. This month in conjunction with the EAGA, ScottishPower began a pilot project to test the concept of providing fixed-cost energy to customers on benefit whose homes have been improved by energy insulation grants. The aim is to provide affordable warmth to low-income families through the introduction of easier ways to pay and reduced energy use.

Charles Berry, Managing Director of ScottishPower's Energy Supply Division, said the company was delighted to secure a major new alliance with HACT, one of the most important organisations in the social housing sector.

"The alliance is an excellent example of public and private bodies working together to help the lower income customer. We will be bringing the benefits of energy competition to all sections of the UK population", Mr Berry added.

Chris Brown, Chief Executive of HACT Housing Action, said: "We rigorously tested the market and ScottishPower emerged as the company whose aims most closely matched our own. ScottishPower was clearly a first class provider for social housing tenants".

Further Information:
Ann Hood,        ScottishPower Press Office               0141 248 8200