Ofgem Funding to Support Vulnerable Energy Consumers (England, Scotland & Wales) - Deadline: 8 th July 2024
The Ofgem Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme
(Energy Redress Scheme) has opened for its eighth funding round. Through the scheme, charities and community energy groups in England, Scotland, and Wales can apply for funding to support project that help households most at risk from cold homes and high energy bill as well as the development of innovative products and services related to domestic energy use and carbon emissions reduction projects.
The funding streams available are:
• The Main Fund – aimed at projects seeking grants between £50,000 and £1.5 million that will support households in vulnerable situations,
• The Small Project Fund – aimed at projects seeking grants between £20,000 and £49,999 that will support households in vulnerable situations,
• The Innovation Fund – aimed at projects that will develop innovative products or services to benefit households. Available for grants between £20,000 and £750,000,
• The Carbon Emissions Reduction Fund – aimed at projects that will reduce UK carbon emissions and empower households to reduce their carbon footprint.
Available for grants between £20,000 and £750,000. Funded projects have included:
• Impartial energy advice services supporting vulnerable people,
• Digital media to engage hard-to-reach audiences with energy issues and the support that is available to them,
• Research projects aimed at making sure that the needs of elderly people and disabled people are met by new energy technologies,
• Trialing new business models or interventions that allow households to use more locally generated energy. Ofgem set up the Energy Redress Scheme in 2018 to distribute payments from energy companies that have breached its rules.
The scheme has awarded over £100 million to support vulnerable energy customers and carbon emission reduction initiatives. Organisations must have pre-registered by visiting the Energy Redress registration page to apply. Organisations that haven’t yet registered with the scheme must do so ten working days before the relevant Fund closes to allow time for eligibility checks.