Community Energy Fund open to applications

Community Energy Fund open to applications

Groups and organisations wanting to develop local energy projects can apply for a share of funding from Community Energy England's Community Energy Fund.

The aim of the Community Energy Fund is to help kickstart projects in towns and rural communities - helping local organisations develop community energy projects including:

• Local renewable and low carbon energy projects (such as wind farms, hydro power and rural heat networks).
• Community electric vehicle projects (such as electric vehicle charging points and electric car clubs).
• Energy efficiency retrofit and advice projects.

The grant offers support in two stages:

• The Stage 1 grant funding provides up to a maximum of £40,000 to cover the professional costs of undertaking a feasibility study and producing a report to establish the technical and financial viability of a project.
• The Stage 2 grant funding provides up to £100,000 maximum to cover the cost of developing a project that has been able to demonstrate technical and financial viability.

Who can apply?

The following organisations can apply:

• Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
• Community Benefit Society (CBS or Bencom)
• Community Interest Company (CIC)
• Co-operative Society
• Development Trust
• Pre-Commencement Society
• Registered Charity (including eligible faith groups, sports clubs, etc.)
• Registered Social Landlord
• Registered Society
• Town or Parish Council

How can you apply?

To apply for the Community Energy Fund complete an application on the North West Net Zero Hubs website. There's more information and case studies of previous applicants here.

The application deadline for the North West Hub is 11:59pm on Sunday, 1 September 2024.

Organisations looking to apply can contact The North West Net Zero hub for a pre-application call to run through the application process and potential project idea.

Any community organisations in Knowsley looking to apply can contact Knowsley Council's Energy Officer [email protected] for further information and support with their application.