Cabinet Secretary visits Borders mum benefiting from world-first energy innovation
Housing Secretary Màiri McAllan has visited the latest South of Scotland tenant to benefit from the world’s first domestic energy storage system to use a novel battery chemistry and technology never used in homes before.
Ms McAllan, visited the home of Jan Davies, a single mother and tenant of Scottish Borders Housing Association (SBHA), in Skirling, Scottish Borders.
Ms McAllan was there to witness first-hand the life-changing impact of a pioneering pilot project in domestic energy storage, developed through our collaboration with the South of Scotland’s Regional Social Landlords (RSLs) and the creating company, Kight PowerHub.
Jan's story
Jan, a working mum with two teenage children, has long faced high energy bills.
But the installation of the PowerHub – the world’s first domestic battery system to use a novel chemistry never before deployed in homes – has proved transformative.
In just a few weeks, Jan has seen a significant reduction in her energy usage and bills.
Partnership
The PowerHub is designed to reduce electricity bills by an average of 75%, with potential savings of up to 85% for some, depending on how much electricity they currently use.
We have supported the development of the PowerHub with a £233,000 grant, enabling installations across 11 homes in partnership with five Registered Social Landlords in the South of Scotland:
• SBHA
• Eildon Housing
• Waverley Housing
• Berwickshire Housing Association
• Wheatley Homes South
The project is initially focused on the social housing sector due to its potential to scale quickly and deliver meaningful benefits to tenants affected by rising energy costs.
What is the PowerHub?
The world-leading battery chemistry within the system ensures PowerHub can also deliver significant safety and durability advantages.
These include a zero-fire risk, vital for use in domestic settings and a much longer operational lifespan than those currently available, with a 25-year warranty, making it a safer and more sustainable solution for long-term energy storage.
The technology is the result of five years of research and development, including three years of collaboration between SOSE, the local RSLs and Kight PowerHub.
Drawing on Formula One engineering expertise, the system aims to be ultra-safe, long-lasting, and highly efficient.
Jan Davies said:
“We are not on the gas network, so the only other alternatives are carbon rich fossil fuels and all are becoming increasingly expensive. Electric is really the only option here.
“When I first moved here my electricity bill was almost as much as my rent. But it’s unbelievable that my bill has dropped to half of what I was paying two months ago.
“I’m saving money but also helping to reduce carbon emissions. It is a win-win scenario.”
Housing Secretary Màiri McAllan said:
“It is wonderful to see housing association residents in the South of Scotland, like Jan, benefiting from lower energy prices with the help of a world-first energy storage innovation developed in the area.
“With high energy costs a concern for households across the country this PowerHub domestic battery system pilot has the potential to benefit households across Scotland.
“As part of our housing emergency action plan, we are looking to strengthen collaborations like this at a national, local and regional level to support economic development and our target to deliver 110,000 affordable homes by 2032.
“At least 70% of these will be for social rent and at least 10% will be in rural and island communities.”
Russel Griggs OBE, Chair of SOSE, said:
“It’s been a pleasure to welcome the Cabinet Secretary to see first-hand how this technology is already making a real difference to people’s lives.
“Jan’s story shows exactly why we continue to back this innovation – it has the potential to transform how families manage energy costs, especially in rural communities.
“At SOSE, we’re committed to supporting projects that tackle fuel poverty and put money back into people’s pockets, while also driving long-term economic and environmental benefits for the South of Scotland.”
Lawrence Fagg, Founder of Kight PowerHub explained:
"When you are developing a revolutionary battery system, it is easy to get caught up in the exceptional longevity of the product, the AI control software and no fire risk and not think about the impact and outcomes on the end user.
“But as the PowerHubs become operational in homes, we are seeing how quickly we are reducing bills, removing worries about electricity usage which will improve the quality of life for families like Jan's, and that is incredibly motivational."
SBHA CEO Julia Mulloy added:
“It’s wonderful to see another tenant and her family benefiting from this pioneering project.
“Each new installation brings us closer to understanding how innovation can truly improve people’s lives.
“This collaboration, with SOSE, Kight, and our RSL partners, is an excellent example of what can be achieved when organisations come together with a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and social impact.”