Energy Project Plus launch Energy Redress funded project with support from Energy Saving Trust and Ofgem

The Sustainable Seacombe project launched on Thursday 17th January 2019 at Seacombe Library in Wirral. Energy Saving Trust CEO, Philip Sellwood, and Ofgem chairman, Martin Cave were in attendance, together with representatives of the environmental charity, Energy Project Plus.

Sustainable Seacombe is funded by the Energy Redress Scheme and delivered by Energy Project Plus. The programme aims to deliver a focused area-based energy advice programme in the Seacombe area on the Wirral. The project will go door-door across 7,700 homes as well as running community events and energy advice training across the area. It will see the installation of over 1,000 LED lightbulbs, as well as providing direct energy advice to at least 1250 households, with 650 of those receiving in-home energy advice visits. 

Success for an early applicant

Energy Project Plus was one of the first charities to successfully apply in the first round of the Energy Redress Scheme. It was awarded over £62.8k to deliver Sustainable Seacombe in August 2018. The project will tackle fuel poverty, in partnership with Wirral Council, by supporting vulnerable residents to maintain adequate warmth in their home, while staying in control of their bills.

Chief Executive of Energy Project Plus, Peter Owen, said ‘We have developed Sustainable Seacombe to bring direct financial and health benefits to residents in our local community and are extremely grateful to receive the funding to enable us to deliver our programme.’
Philip Sellwood, Energy Saving Trust CEO, gave a speech at the launch which took place as part of the Wallasey Winter Warmer event. He emphasised the importance of local action on energy and the need for national initiatives like Energy Redress to enable real, measurable change to people’s lives. He said: 

‘Local charities work day-to-day with the very people who most need support to keep their homes warm and safe and their energy bills affordable… Our guiding principle throughout has been to ensure the maximum impact from this funding at a time when resources are stretched… Sustainable Seacombe is a great example of this, working closely with local people and the council to find those most in need of help and get them the support they need.’

Energy Saving Trust and Energy Redress

Energy Saving Trust was appointed by Ofgem in April 2018 to deliver the Energy Redress Scheme, to distribute payments from energy companies who have breached rules. Funds go towards projects across England, Scotland and Wales, like Sustainable Seacombe, that provide support to vulnerable energy customers.

Having run two successful funding rounds to date – providing funding for 21 projects totalling over £2.4m – Energy Saving Trust announced a third round earlier this month, with another £500k of funding available to charities in England, Scotland and Wales.

In order to apply, charities need to demonstrate they are of good financial standing and can deliver effective projects for the benefit of householders.

To find out more about all the successful projects, visit our ‘Announcements’ page.

Click here to apply for the current round of funding.