Community groups bid for share in £8m low carbon heating fund

Community groups will be able to bid for a share of £8m to install low carbon heating into households across the UK as part of a government scheme to encourage the use of renewable energy.


The scheme will allow community households to install low carbon heating, such as solar thermal panels, biomass boilers and heat pumps.

The Low Carbon Heating Scheme is part of the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s (DECC) Renewable Heat Premium Payment Scheme (RHPP).

Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said: “Clean green generation at a local level is a key part of our energy future and I hope that communities of all shapes and sizes will get on board and take advantage of all this scheme has to offer.”

Those eligible to apply will be community-based organisations including community co-operatives, voluntary groups, social enterprises and development trusts.

Phillip Sellwood, CEO at the Energy Saving Trust said: “Working together can make the process of upgrading to renewable heating easier and more affordable for everyone.

“This scheme will provide a great opportunity for community groups to prove once again that they can have a real impact in reducing carbon emissions and energy costs in their homes, whilst empowering communities to be more sustainable.”

Community groups will need to submit applications that will be judged on a range of criteria, including the project’s vision, potential benefits for the local area, potential partners and any relevant experience of delivering similar projects.

DECC expects to support between 50 and 100 projects with the £8m fund and will announce the winners in December this year.

Leigh Stringer

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