The Rural Community Energy Fund is being delivered by Tees Valley Combined Authority across the North East and Yorkshire and the Humber*.

Tees Valley Combined Authority has £1.35 million available to support community groups in rural areas across the North East and Yorkshire and the Humber region develop renewable energy projects.

The purpose of the Rural Community Energy Fund is to provide feasibility and project development grant funding to rural community groups that want to develop their own renewable energy projects. Applicants must be planning a renewable energy project which provides defined benefit(s) to the community where the renewable energy installation is based. Applicants must also be able to demonstrate that a good level of community engagement has been carried out, and that there is genuine community support for the project, including plans for ongoing community engagement.

Examples of the types of technologies which may be considered for RCEF include:

Anaerobic digestion (AD)
AD (biogas) fuelled heat network
Bio liquids/gas/fuels
Biomass heat network
Heat pumps
Hydropower
Solar (photo voltaic)
Solar (thermal)
Wind turbines
Projects that focus solely on energy efficiency are not eligible for support under RCEF. However, energy efficiency may be considered eligible if it forms part of a project that is focussing on an eligible technology (or combination of technologies).

Who is eligible to apply?

The Rural Community Energy Fund (RCEF) is available to eligible organisations in rural communities in England that represent a rural community of fewer than 10,000 residents. For the purposes of the RCEF we use the ‘Office of National Statistics’ (ONS) definition of a rural community as a settlement of fewer than 10,000 residents. Defra’s Magic Map will show you if your postcode is based in a rural area (the guidance documents contain further information on how to use the Magic Map to determine your eligibility).

Communities applying to the fund must be a legal entity in order to receive public funds – examples of suitable legal entities include:

Community Interest Company (CIC)
Co-operative
Community Benefit Society (Bencom)
Registered Social Landlord
Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
Development Trust
Registered society (pre 2014 IPS)
Parish Council
Faith Group
Local authorities are not eligible for RCEF however they can support or partner community groups who wish to apply.

What can be funded?

The grant is not for the purchase of capital equipment and cannot be used to cover costs incurred prior to the grant offer.

Stage 1 grants – up to a maximum of £40,000 can be granted for Stage 1. Stage 1 grants are intended to be used to secure the provision of professional services to undertake a feasibility study. Where appropriate, funds can also be used for project management costs, and community engagement activities.

Stage 2 grants – up to a maximum of £100,000 can be granted for Stage 2. Stage 2 grants can be used to support planning applications and develop a robust business case to attract further investment.

Clean renewable energy generation at community level is beneficial both to the community and the wider environment. By reducing dependence on fossil fuel based energy generation communities can secure future energy supply, gain protection from rising fuel costs and duties and reduce the risk of fuel poverty. Income from renewable projects can be used to provide benefits to the community, create jobs, and promote social cohesion.

Timescales for applying

Applications are taken on a quarterly basis and you will be notified as soon as possible once the funding decisions have been made:

1st November 2019 – to be assessed on 9th December 2019

1st February 2020 – to be assessed on 9th March 2020

1st May 2020 – to be assessed on 8th June 2020

1st August 2020 – to be assessed on 14th September 2020

1st November 2020 – to be assessed on 14th December 2020

1st February 2021 – to be assessed on 8th March 2021

If you would like to apply for RCEF, or have any queries, please contact: rcef@teesvalley-ca.gov.uk for more information.

*Tees Valley Combined Authority manages the North East Yorkshire and Humber Local Energy Hub. The North East Yorkshire and Humber Local Energy Hub is one of five Local Energy Hubs across England. The purpose of the Local Energy Hubs is to accelerate the development of renewable energy projects.
The North East Yorkshire and Humber Local Energy Hub is a collaboration between the North East and Yorkshire and Humber Local Enterprise Partnerships, and includes Humber LEP, North East LEP, Leeds City Region, Sheffield City Region, Tees Valley Combined Authority, and York, North Yorkshire and East Riding LEP.
The Rural Community Energy Fund is being delivered by the Local Energy Hubs on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).