Community energy groups benefit from £45,000 Net Zero Community Energy Funding

Up to £50,000 grant funding was made available as part of the Net Zero Community Energy Fund, thanks to our partnership working with Regen, whose aim is to support the UK’s energy system to a net zero carbon future.

The Net Zero Community Energy Fund, now in its third year, launched in April and offered applicable community energy and climate action groups the opportunity to expand existing initiatives or explore new energy projects within their local community hubs or parishes.

Applications were reviewed by a panel of judges against the fund criteria, from across the community energy sector, and six local projects were successful in receiving funding: The Neighbourhood Project Community Interest Company (CIC), North Lincolnshire Community Energy Limited, Sheffield Renewables Limited, Otley 2030, Knaresborough Community Energy Limited and Todmorden Community Energy.

The Renewable Bradford Programme, delivered by The Neighbourhood Project CIC was awarded £5,400 to provide renewable energy training to residents in Bingley, Bradford, Ilkley, Keighley and Shipley. The aim is to see five community renewable energy projects taking shape in the Bradford District, each drawing up proposals for a scheme that could work in their area, which will be delivered and supported by local people.

Awarded £10,000, North Lincolnshire Community Energy Limited (NCLE), will use the money to support the publicity launch of NCLE’s second community share offer, which will help fund substantial solar arrays on The Baths Hall and the Attis Arena, home of Scunthorpe United Football Club.

Supporting local GP practices’ transition to net zero, Sheffield Renewables Limited was awarded £8,718 for a potential solar PV scheme at a GP practice, which will also educate staff and customers on energy reduction and sustainability.

Otley 2030, awarded £10,000 to investigate the feasibility of installing a low-carbon district heat network for the town of Otley, will propose potential solutions for installing viable low carbon technology in the town.

Celebrating being awarded £9,500, Knaresborough Community Energy Limited via its Knaresborough Lido Hydro Project will assess the potential for installing a hydroelectric generating system at Knaresborough Lido Leisure Park. Making use of the fall at the weir adjacent to a former watermill, the project aims to generate over 300 MWh of electricity per year.

Finally Todmorden Community Energy has secured £1,000 funding to build a Todmorden Renewable Energy Tracker Map to create a digitised map of the town which identifies all buildings and land in the town which may be suitable for renewable energy projects.

Louise Lowes, Director of Customer Service at Northern Powergrid said: “We’re proud to play our part in the journey to net zero and support customers across our region to deliver community-led energy projects which will have lasting benefits for the environment and the communities we serve.

“Our collaborative partnership with Regen helps groups to develop innovative energy schemes to support a low carbon economy, and empowers customers to become their own champions in renewable energy growth.

“We’re excited to hear how the projects take shape and look forward to working with partners and customers to support future community energy schemes.”

As well as its partnership with Regen, Northern Powergrid also funds a range of energy related schemes and advice services for customers across its region. This includes promoting low carbon technology and advice on understanding low carbon heating systems, providing energy efficiency advice and how to obtain grants for insulation, solar panels and boiler upgrades for low income and low EPC-rated households.

For more information and to download partnership leaflets visit www.northernpowergrid.com/force-for-good or www.northernpowergrid.com/psrpartners.

In addition to the partnership schemes, The Northern Powergrid Foundation, set up by Northern Powergrid, offers grants up to £20,000 to community hubs to empower energy resilience during power emergencies. Visit www.northernpowergridfoundation.com.

To find out more about Regen, visit: www.regen.co.uk.