The Community Energy Fund is a national £10m grant scheme for urban and rural communities to kickstart community-led clean energy projects.
The aims of the fund are to:
- increase the level of community and locally owned renewable and low carbon energy assets
- support communities to reduce energy costs or generate income through community owned energy assets
- promote growth through the creation of jobs and volunteering opportunities in the communities where projects are located
Projects can include wind farms and solar PV projects, as well as battery storage, rural heat networks and electric vehicle charging points. It can also be used to fund feasibility assessments for fuel poverty alleviation schemes and energy efficiency, retrofit, and advice projects.
The funding is for the development of projects from a concept to an investment-ready scheme. It does not provide capital funding for the installation of projects themselves.
Funding will be offered for Stage 1 (Feasibility Grant up to £40k) and Stage 2 (Full Business Planning Grant up to £100k) projects.
Legally constituted voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations can apply to the fund. This includes registered charities, CICs, CIOs, CBSs, social housing providers, development trusts and town and parish councils.
Focus of fund/fund aims:
Funding for feasibility studies and business planning to take forward community energy projects
Application deadline:
Round 2 closes on 25 March 2024
Fund description:
https://www.swnetzerohub.org.uk/what-we-do/community-energy/