A new £4 million fund has been launched across the northwest to act as a catalyst for rural, regional renewable projects.
The
Rural Carbon Challenge Fund (RCCF), which is being delivered by the
Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), aims to help communities achieve
renewable energy projects.
It will fund at least five, large-scale
renewable energy projects throughout the northwest’s sub regions. The
funding will focus on whichever wind,
water or wood fuel energy is most relevant to the community and will also provide training and support to social and
micro enterprises.
The
RCCF is funded through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. It was one of the low carbon initiatives launched by the NWDA at its third annual Climate Change Conference in Manchester and part of the revised Northwest Climate Change Action Plan for 2010–2012.
Speaking about the Northwest Climate Change Action Plan, Robert Hough, chairman,
NWDA, said: “The new Climate Change Action Plan provides a clear and robust framework to ensure the northwest is in the best possible position to contribute to national
carbon reduction targets, and increase resilience to climate impacts. Equally as important will be our ability to capitalise on the economic opportunities this brings.”
From April this year, five dedicated
staff will deliver the RCCF across the northwest and provide dedicated support in preparing applications, helping micro-enterprises, social enterprises and community groups submit joint expressions of interest to develop and deliver their projects.
Funding to be delivered by Energy Saving Trust and Envirolink Northwest Project delivery partners – the Energy Saving Trust and Envirolink Northwest – hope that the funding will in particular support micro enterprises set up or expand renewable energy businesses and gain new skills through training, and social enterprises to get help with the capital cost of producing energy, technical support, feasibility studies, training and establishment costs.
Application forms and guidance notes will be available form March, after which sub-regional bidders briefings will be run to provide more information to potential applicants.
Related news:Renewables newsGreen SME newsGreen grants & funding newsRelated links:www.greenwisebusiness.co.uk/resourceswww.nwda.co.ukwww.envirolinknorthwest.co.ukwww.energysavingtrust.org.uk