Fund announced for local energy projects

A new £10 million government fund has been announced to support rural and local communities in setting up local energy projects that will provide local jobs and deliver energy security.

Both urban and rural communities are able to apply from early Autumn.

The funding is intended to help to kickstart projects including small-scale wind farms and rooftop solar partnerships, as well as battery storage, rural heat networks, electric vehicle charging points, and fuel poverty alleviation schemes.

Minister for nuclear and networks Andrew Bowie said: "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.

"With it, they’ll be able to drive forward innovative energy projects that will have a lasting positive impact, bringing costs down, building stronger communities, and securing clean energy for generations to come.

"Importantly, these energy projects could expand beyond local areas by attracting further investment from the private sector, in turn inspiring other communities to power their area with energy from England."

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