£8m to help social enterprises develop Welsh renewable energy
Elaine Brass
25th January 2010
Social enterprises in Wales will be able to create their own renewable energy, which they can use themselves or sell on to the National Grid or to their own communities, thanks to an £8 million grant from the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG).
The
fund –
The Community Scale Renewable Energy Generation project – will provide £100,000 to £300,000 per project to support around 22 new and existing social enterprises develop community based
renewable energy schemes, such as wind, biomass and hydro power. In addition, around 135 small
grants of up to £3,000 will be available to help communities to undertake feasibility studies into potential renewable energy schemes, followed by 35 grants of up to £20,000 to help them develop their projects.
“It is an integral part of our One
Wales agenda to cut carbon emissions and invest in the development of locally based renewable energy solutions," said Welsh Environment Minister, Jane Davidson. "The Community Scale Renewable Energy Generation project will help realise this ambition, driving forward the way in which social enterprises can harness the opportunities presented by generating their own electricity using technologies that produce lower carbon emissions.
"This will benefit these organisations through reduced fuel costs as well as provide the opportunity to secure a sustainable income, which can be used to employ staff, provide energy efficiency and fuel poverty advice, as well as other vital services, to their communities.”
The project is backed by over £7 million from the EU’s European Regional Development Fund and will generate an investment of £15 million with development officers identifying potential schemes eligible for support.
One such scheme that could benefit from the grant money is the Cwmclydach Development Trust in Rhondda Cynon Taf, which is being developed to generate electricity from hydro power. Any income it generates will go to supporting the sustainability of the centre from which the Trust operates.
The WAG funding is expected to create up to 22 jobs directly, plus the investment will also focus on the labour market skills needed to sustain a low carbon economy and the employment opportunities resulting from installing, maintaining and managing renewable energy technology.
The Energy Saving Trust will manage the project on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government.