The Community Energy Fund is a new £10 million programme that helps communities in England to develop clean energy projects to benefit their local areas. It is funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and to be administered by the five Net Zero Hubs in the Midlands, North East, North West, South East and South West of England.
The Community Energy Fund (CEF) follows the success of the former Rural Community Energy Fund (RCEF) and expands its scope to include urban areas. Clean energy generation at local level can secure an affordable future energy supply for communities and alleviate fuel poverty.
Once developed, income from local energy projects can be used to support other local projects in the community. Projects can include small-scale wind farms and rooftop solar partnerships, as well as battery storage, rural heat networks, and electric vehicle charging points. A full list of eligible technologies will be provided.
Funding is available to help support the development of energy projects up to the point of construction. However, please note that the Fund does not provide support for the capital or construction costs of projects such as the purchase of equipment or its installation. Projects and applicants are expected to meet the Fund’s eligibility criteria.
If you would like to be contacted when the fund opens for applications, please email CEF@gsenetzerohub.org.uk
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 clean energy project.
Before applying for Stage 1 funding you should submit an expression of interest form to the Community Energy Fund team at the Greater South East Net Zero Hub CEF@gsenetzerohub.org.uk. The team will then contact you to discuss your project in more detail. Scroll down to access all relevant forms and documents for stage 1, which are set out below. Please ensure that you read all the documents provided.
*PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE DOCUMENTS ARE CURRENTLY IN PREPARATION AND WILL BE UPLOADED SOON*
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.
Please email the Community Energy Fund team at the Greater South East Net Zero Hub CEF@gsenetzerohub.org.uk if you would like to apply for a stage 2 grant and prior to completion of your application form. Scroll down to access all relevant forms and documents for stage 2 which are set out in the box below. Please ensure that you read all documents provided.
*PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE DOCUMENTS ARE CURRENTLY IN PREPARATION AND WILL BE UPLOADED SOON*
Round one – *DATE TO BE SUPPLIED*
Round two – *DATE TO BE SUPPLIED*
Round three – *DATE TO BE SUPPLIED*
Round four – *DATE TO BE SUPPLIED*
Round five – *DATE TO BE SUPPLIED*
Round six – *DATE TO BE SUPPLIED*
Round seven – *DATE TO BE SUPPLIED*
Expression of Interest Form *AVAILABLE*
CEF Stage 1 Guidance Notes *AWAITED*
CEF Stage 1 Grant Application Form *AWAITED*
CEF Stage 1 Assessment Criteria *AWAITED*
CEF Stage 2 Guidance Notes *AWAITED*
Click HERE to access the recording of a presentation about the Fund, which was made by the Greater South East Net Zero Hub at a recent webinar arranged by Community Energy England.
