Bio-Energy Capital Grants Scheme

Applications are being accepted now. It is currently anticipated that funds will be committed through to mid-2009, but this will depend on the actual rate of applications. Once applications are approved, claimants will be given details of the latest date grants can be claimed.

This DEFRA scheme will support the installation of biomass-fuelled heat and combined heat and power (CHP) projects in the industrial, commercial and community sectors. Available grants will cover up to a maximum of 40% of the difference between the biomass capital cost and the fossil fuel alternative. The minimum grant starts at £25,000 with a maximum single award of £1million. The scheme does not target any particular biomass heat or CHP technology nor sector or sub-sector, but does require that systems have a rated output over 50kW.

Community Sustainable Energy Programme (CSEP)

CSEP is an open grants programme run by Building Research Establishment (BRE) as an award partner of the Big Lottery Fund (BLF). BRE carries out research, consultancy, training and testing to help create better buildings and communities.

The Community Sustainable Energy Programme will provide £8 million to communit -based organisations for the installation of microgeneration technologies, such as solar panels or wind turbines and energy efficiency measures including loft and cavity wall insulation. It will also provide £1 million for project development grants that will help community organisations establish a microgeneration and energy efficiency installation which will work for them.

It aims to achieve the following outcomes:

Reduction in CO2 emissions

Increased community awareness of climate change and how changes to our behaviour can reduce it

Increased skills base of local trades (for example, local builders and building-service subcontractors working on renewable energy projects for the first time)

Reduction in energy bills

Reduction in reliance on imported energy and increased independence from commercial energy suppliers

Stronger partnerships within local communities with lasting social benefits

Growth of local enterprise in new technologies