£3 million available for charities and community groups through the Ofgem Energy Redress Scheme

The Ofgem Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme (Energy Redress Scheme) opens on 1 August 2023 for its fifth funding round.  

A total of £3 million is available for charities and community energy groups – including community interest companies, co-operative societies and community benefit societies - to apply for grants through four funding streams.  

Projects will be considered which focus on supporting households most at risk from cold homes and high energy bills, the development of innovative products and services related to domestic energy use, or carbon emissions reduction projects, across England, Scotland and Wales.  

The funding streams available are: 

• The Main Fund, containing £1.8 million - aimed at projects seeking grants between £50,000 and £250,000 that will support households in vulnerable situations.  

• The Small Project Fund, containing £300,000 – aimed at projects seeking grants between £20,000 to £49,999.99 that will support households in vulnerable situations.  

• The Innovation Fund, containing £450,000 – aimed at projects that will develop innovative products or services to benefit households. Applicants can apply for grants between £20,000 to £200,000.  

• The Carbon Emissions Reduction Fund, containing £450,000 – aimed at projects that will reduce UK carbon emissions and empower households to reduce their carbon footprint. Applicants can apply for grants between £20,000 to £200,000.  

To apply, organisations need to be pre-registered 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.  

The deadline for applications is 5pm on 22 August 2023. To apply follow the instructions on the Energy Redress website.

From February 2018 to March 2023, the Energy Redress Scheme has funded more than 470 projects across England, Scotland and Wales and awarded £81 million in funding. The 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 enable households to use more locally generated energy.  

Anthony Kyriakides, head of renewables at Energy Saving Trust, said: “We’re pleased to launch this latest round of funding which will continue to support the positive and important work which charities undertake to help the most vulnerable households manage energy use and energy bills. 

“The funding will also support charities and community organisations to deliver projects focused on achieving a net zero future and helping to ensure a just transition for as many people as possible.”  

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