Rural Community Energy Fund launched

Rural communities across England wanting to generate their own clean green power are being offered a helping hand with the launch of a £15 million government fund.

The Rural Community Energy Fund, which is now open to applications, is designed to help with feasibility studies into renewable energy projects and cover the costs of applying for planning permission.

Hopefully, projects will then be able to attract private finance to pay for renewable energy kit and get projects up and running.

Environment and Rural Affairs Minister, Richard Benyon, comments: “We are determined to boost the rural economy and protect the environment. As well as boosting renewable energy production, the Fund will ensure that communities have the funding they need for local projects and priorities in future.”

The grant money can be used to support projects across the renewable and low carbon energy spectrum including wind, solar, biomass, heat pumps, anaerobic digestion, gas combined heat and power, and hydro.