The UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on Friday announced a GBP-10-million (USD 12.7m/EUR 11.6m) government fund to assist both rural and urban communities across England in developing local renewable energy projects.
The new Community Energy Fund will open to applications for grant funding in the early autumn. The fund is successor of the former Rural Community Energy Fund (RCEF) but with an increased remit to also include urban areas.
The government expects the new fund to facilitate projects such as small-scale wind farms, rooftop solar partnerships, battery storage, rural heat networks, electric vehicle charging points, and fuel poverty alleviation programmes. It is also hoped to encourage private investment to scale up projects.
“Local communities are at the heart of our plans to boost our energy security and grow the economy. The Community Energy Fund for England will empower communities to do just that,” said Minister for Nuclear and Networks Andrew Bowie.
(GBP 1 = USD 1.273/EUR 1.157)
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