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Wind turbines

The Local Energy Scheme is currently closed to applications.

What is the Local Energy Scheme?

The Local Energy Scheme supports and funds renewable energy projects across the West of England. The Scheme is helping us to deliver our commitments to increase renewable energy generation, decarbonise local energy systems and support local communities in the West of England. The scheme has had multiple rounds, awarding money to ambitious projects.

The third round of the Local Energy Scheme (revenue) grant is now closed for community-based organisations, that are developing energy-related projects to increase renewable energy generation for the benefit of the local community.

The grant funding is divided into two stages. In the third round, organisations could apply for either stage of funding. A project could apply for both stages simultaneously as long as evidence can be provided of a deliverable project:

  • Stage 1 - Revenue grant of up to £25,000 for pre-feasibility & feasibility (100% of costs)
  • Stage 2 – Revenue grant of up to £50,000 for development (100% of costs).
Solar farm

What is the funding for?

The funding is intended to:

  1. support the up-front costs associated with identifying projects and undertake pre-feasibility
  2. enable technical feasibility and business plan modelling
  3. project design to a developed stage to secure planning permission and/or create a financial investment plan.

Applications closed

The application submission window is now closed.  

Grant award will be made by 29th April 2024.

If you have any queries about this grant, please contact Micaela Basford, Renewable Energy Project Manager on 07770 814462 or renewables@westofengland-ca.gov.uk

Previous projects

Discover information and case studies from previous energy projects supported by grant funding via the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.

Wind turbine
Round 1 fund award

Ambition Community Energy (ACE)

Round 1 awarded £500,000 to Ambition Community Energy (ACE) to build a 150-metre wind turbine in Avonmouth, delivering 4.2 megawatts (MW) renewable energy generation capacity and enough electricity to power over 3,000 homes. This community-led project supports the delivery of the Ambition Lawrence Weston Community Plan.

Read the case study

Solar farm
Round 2 fund award

Bath and West Community Energy and Cleveland Pools

Round 2 awarded £250,000 to Bath and West Community Energy BWCE to install a 2.1MW solar farm at Fairy Hill in Compton Dando.

£77,000 was also awarded to Cleveland Pools to install infrastructure for a water source heat pump for the pools’ heating.

Read the case study

The first round of the Scheme was funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). It is now funded by the West of England Recovery Fund and Green Recovery Fund. The £60m Green Recovery Fund was set up to help us meet our climate and ecology ambitions.

European Regional Development Fund logo

Solar Panels on large roof 
Partner with us

The South West Net Zero Hub

Organisations who want to partner with the West of England to create a resilient and affordable energy system can get further advice from the South West Energy Hub. The Hub offers support in developing and implementing local energy projects as well as step-by-step advice for business cases, from planning to financing.

Explore the hub