Funding round now open for charities and community energy groups through the Ofgem Energy Redress Scheme

The Ofgem Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme (Energy Redress Scheme) will open to applications on 13 June 2024, for its eighth funding round.

Funding is available as grants to charities and community interest groups focused on supporting households most at risk of high energy bills. Those working on projects supporting people in or at risk of fuel poverty or on developing domestic energy and carbon reduction projects across England, Scotland and Wales are invited to apply.

Charities can apply for grants through four different funding streams, which will help them deliver energy related projects. Funding is also open to community energy groups – including community interest companies, co-operative societies, and community benefit societies – who can apply to either the Carbon Emissions Reduction Fund or the Innovation Fund.

The deadline for applications to this funding round is 5pm on 8 July 2024, via the Energy Redress website. Before applying, organisations need to pre-register by visiting the Energy Redress registration page.  

Organisations that haven’t yet registered with the scheme must do so 10 working days before the relevant fund closes to allow time for eligibility checks to take place.

About the Energy Redress Scheme   

Ofgem collects voluntary payments from companies that may have breached Ofgem administered rules. Energy Saving Trust manages the allocation of payments for the scheme, which has been in place for six years.    

The scheme prioritises support for vulnerable energy consumers, the development of innovative products or services and the empowerment of consumers to reduce their carbon emissions. 

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.     
• Boosting the uptake of whole-house retrofits.     
• Trialing new business models or interventions to allow households to use more locally generated energy.