The North West Net Zero Hub has launched Round 4 of the Community Energy Fund.
North West Net Zero Hub is administering our regional share of the Community Energy Fund (CEF) a national grant programme open to a range of community groups and eligible third and public sector organisations in England to develop projects from feasibility to commercialisation.
For an introduction to the CEF which explains the types of projects and organisations that are eligible, visit:
https://www.localenergynw.org/page/community-energy-fund
Funding Summary
The Community Energy Fund (CEF) is a grant scheme for urban and rural communities to 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) and energy efficiency retrofit and advice projects (where there is local need and a gap in existing services and where there is a business model for a sustainable service). CEF grants are not available for capital works, equipment or service delivery, and cannot be used to cover costs incurred prior to the grant offer.
The grant offer support in two stages:
The Stage 1 grant funding provides up to a maximum of £40,000 maximum 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. This includes the legal costs of securing a site, an environmental impact assessment, planning and permitting applications, and development of a business plan.
Pre-application Discussion
We'd like to highlight the opportunity for a short pre-application call to run through the CEF application process and potential project ideas with their partners the Centre for Sustainable Energy - an energy advice and climate change charity with decades of experience supporting the community energy sector across the UK.
This call offers you the opportunity to run through potential project ideas regardless of what stage you are at, and the opportunity to discuss whether the Community Energy Fund is right for you. Please email: NWNZHub@liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk to organise.
If you want to know more about community energy you can register for support from the Community Net Zero Pathways programme.
Application Process
Apply by 11:59pm on Sunday 17th November 2024 to participate in the fourth round of applications.
Round 4 Application forms and guidance are available here: https://www.localenergynw.org/page/community-energy-fund
Completed Applications must be submitted to northwestCEF@lancashire.gov.uk by 11:59pm on 17th November 2024