Improving the Use of Energy in Buildings

Communities competition - Phase Two

The £8m communities’ competition enables community groups to apply for funding that enable and encourage the adoption and installation of low/zero carbon renewable energy heating technologies; including solar thermal hot water systems, heat pumps (air to water and/or ground source or water source) and biomass (pellets, wood-chip and logs) boiler systems.

The central element of the communities’ scheme is to enable community based buying networks that have a detailed understanding of the needs of the local community to benefit from bulk purchasing discount agreements.

In preparation for the launch of this scheme the National Energy Foundation (NEF) has secured agreements from several reputable manufacturers and installers and we will be pleased to work with community groups in order to unlock these savings to the community.

Gabby Mallett, Head of NEF’s Green Deal & Communities team, said: ”The recent Local Energy Assessment Fund (LEAF) and NEF’s own Communities Generation Fund (CGF) – established in partnership with Finance South East (FSE) group - continues to deliver significant benefits to many community groups across the UK and NI.  The RHPP Phase 2 Communities scheme will ensure that this momentum is maintained by enabling community groups to install low/zero carbon (renewable energy) heating solutions both efficiently and cost effectively”.

How can NEF help you?

At NEF we understand that all community groups are unique, having specific and distinct requirements at different stages of development.  Therefore we are able to offer an independent and tailored service that fully fulfils your expectations, and any support that we deliver would be individually designed to support your requirements.

In short we can provide assistance as you put together your initial application for funding and provide support as you develop schemes from feasibility to planning and analysis of the technical and financial viability of both new and existing schemes, as outlined overleaf.

Contact us to discuss your requirements

To release the potential that this competition offers we are actively encouraging the take-up our offer of independent tailored support from the NEF during the initial application process.  We can then continue to support you through the application process and ultimately through to project completion.

To find out more about how our expert support could help you meet your specific needs for your local community, please contact us by telephone or email.  We can then discuss your specific requirements with you to provide a tailored independent support service.

NEF’s Added Value

NEF has already successfully worked with a wide range of communities and has helped deliver numerous energy efficiency and renewable energy technology schemes; including bulk purchasing discount agreements for solar photovoltaic (electric) and solar thermal (hot water) systems.  Now with the launch of the £8m RHPP communities scheme our specialist and proven knowledge in the field of small and medium scale renewable energy schemes means that we are uniquely placed to help you and your community to take advantage of this new funding opportunity.