Over £4.2 million in Ofgem Redress Funding Issued To Benefit Vulnerable Energy Consumers Across Great Britain

Energy Saving Trust announced today that over £4.2 million has been awarded to 30 charities across England, Scotland and Wales in the latest round of the Energy Redress Scheme. Officially named the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme, the initiative managed by Energy Saving Trust redistributes voluntary payments from Ofgem-regulated energy companies.

The fifth round of the funding scheme received over 110 applications from charitable organisations, with successful charities such as Groundwork UK, North Devon Homes and a range of local Citizen’s Advice Organisations being awarded financial backing between £44,000 and £636,000.

These grants will enable the charities to deliver projects that provide support to energy consumers in vulnerable situations across Great Britain, helping them to save energy and money in their homes and to get on top of their fuel bills. The projects include trialling new energy efficient technologies in social housing, heating system upgrades and providing energy advice in British Sign Language (BSL).

Citizens Advice Torfaen received £44,957 to deliver the Warmer Torfaen project, which will provide home assessments and energy advice to households where fuel poverty has been identified in south east Wales. Groundwork UK were awarded £636,560 to work with their local trusts in disadvantaged communities to identify, advise and help vulnerable energy customers in most severe need.

The full list of charities who will benefit from the funding can be found here.

Mike Thornton, Group Director of Operations at Energy Saving Trust commented:

“It was good to see a wide range of applications for Round 5 of the scheme and the successful projects will help to keep thousands of people in vulnerable situations warm and safe in their homes. The Energy Redress Scheme is helping a wide variety of charities to support people in vulnerable situations with home energy advice, measures to reduce their fuel bills and through the delivery of innovative energy saving solutions to those most in need.”

Since its launch in April 2018, the Energy Redress Scheme has funded 64 projects across England, Scotland and Wales with more than £7.4 million in funding allocated so far.

Two new additional funding rounds for the Energy Redress Scheme are planned between January and June 2020. Round 6 is planned to open on the 22nd January with a deadline of the 19th February and Round 7 opening in April 2020. The total amount of funding available for these two rounds currently stands at £17 million. Further details will be published when the new rounds launch.

Charities interested in applying to the scheme must register before submitting an application.

Further information on the scheme and the application process can be found at www.energyredress.org.uk