32 new charity-run projects will receive funding through the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme (Energy Redress Scheme), the Energy Saving Trust has announced.
Each project seeks to help lift households out of fuel poverty and enable them to transition to a low carbon future.
The scheme, which is managed and delivered by Energy Saving Trust on behalf of Ofgem, distributes voluntary payments from Ofgem regulated companies that may have breached rules.
Charles Hargreaves, Ofgem’s Deputy Director of Conduct and Enforcement, commented on the announcement: “At a time when so many face hardships, this funding will make a direct difference to the lives of consumers who are struggling to pay energy bills – and help households save energy by going greener too.”
Round 10 of the scheme and the new Carbon Emissions Reduction Fund, that launched in February 2021, will now see £6.1 million in total distributed across the successful projects.
Thousands of vulnerable households are set to benefit from access to high-quality financial advice and support on energy saving and renewable energy-measures.
The proposed grant recipients include:
- Citizens Advice Diss, Thetford and District to deliver a Norfolk-wide energy advice scheme that aims to support around 2,000 households in vulnerable situations, with qualified energy advisors.
- Scarf. The social enterprise will provide a comprehensive Home Energy Advice Team service across Dundee city.
- Rhondda Cynon Taff Citizens Advice, whose ‘Empowered’ project will provide free social welfare and energy advice, casework and support to vulnerable households across Rhondda Cynon Taff.
- National Energy Foundation, who are creating an innovative collaboration project to help homeowners transform the energy performance of their homes with the help of retrofit coordinators.
Since the Energy Redress Scheme launched in 2018, Energy Saving Trust has awarded over £26 million to fund over 150 charities across England, Scotland and Wales.
The next round of Energy Redress Scheme funding will open for new applications on Tuesday 6 April 2021 and close at 5pm on Wednesday 5 May 2021, with £4-5 million available to fund new projects.
Only charities that are registered with the Energy Redress Scheme and have passed the due diligence process can apply to the open funding rounds.
Further information on the scheme and the application process, as well as more information on the successful charities of Round 10 can be found on the Energy Redress Scheme website.
