The North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub has announced the first community groups to benefit from the Community Energy Fund – and the opening date of the next round of funding.

Eight community groups have received funding from the first round of the fund, which helps local groups get clean energy and heat generating and conserving projects in their communities off the ground.

Successful bids to the were as follows.

• Broomhaugh and Riding Parish Council – £29,900 to investigate the feasibility of a Hydro Electric Project.
• Northumberland Community Energy –£30,982 to investigate the feasibility of solar PV and accompanying battery storage on 17 buildings in North Northumberland.
• Northumberland Community Energy –£29,160 to investigate the feasibility of solar PV and accompanying battery storage on 16 buildings in West Northumberland.
• Spennymoor Town Council – £35,500 to investigate the feasibility of a solar development at the former aerodrome site in Spennymoor.
• South Yorkshire EcoFit CIC – £40,000 to investigate the feasibility of a delivery model to provide energy advice to residents across South Yorkshire.
• Todmorden Community Energy – £10,000 to investigate the feasibility of a wind power project in the local area.
• York Community Energy – £19,534 to investigate the feasibility of rooftop solar arrays on 6 buildings in York, with associated outputs supporting the local community and their York Energy Advice service.
• Norham Development Trust – £100,000 to further develop their wind and solar community project in Norham and bring it to an investment ready level, following feasibility work undertaken through the previous Rural Community Energy Fund.

Applications to the second round of the fund are currently being assessed.

The Hub can also announce that the third round of the fund will open for applications on August 19^th 2024 and close on October 13^th 2024.

The Community Energy Fund (CEF) is a grant scheme for urban and rural communities to develop energy services to benefit their local area.

The funding is designed to help kickstart clean energy projects including small-scale wind farms and rooftop solar partnerships, as well as battery storage, rural heat networks, electric vehicle charging points. It can also be used to fund fuel poverty alleviation schemes such as energy efficiency, retrofit, and advice projects. It does not provide capital funding.

Funding is offered in the form of a Stage 1 Feasibility Grant of up to £40k to produce a feasibility study to establish the technical and financial viability of a project, and/or a Stage 2 Development Grant of up to £100k for a more detailed investigation of the technology, for planning applications and to develop a business case.

Eligible organisations include:

• Amateur sports clubs

• Charitable Incorporated Organisations
• Community Benefit Societies
• Community Interest Companies
• Co-operative Societies
• Development Trusts
• Faith Groups
• Pre-commencement societies
• Registered charities
• Registered Social Landlords (partnered with a community group)
• Town or Parish councils.

More information is available here.