Energy regulator Ofgem has opened the next round of funding for charities to access grants to support people tackling high energy bills.

This latest funding round through the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme is offering grants totalling £20m to charities, community energy groups, community interest companies and organisations set up to benefit their local communities.

The deadline for this latest funding round is 5pm on 20 February.

The Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme is funded through voluntary payments from energy companies that have breached Ofgem’s rules. Over the last six years it has funded more than 500 projects UK wide and awarded more than £100m in funding.

“When we make energy companies pay for falling short of the standards we set, it’s only right that customers should be the ones who benefit,” said Ofgem director for enforcement and emerging issues Cathryn Scott.

Included are four funding streams:

• £13.25m in grants of between £50,000 and £2 million to support households in vulnerable situations.
• £750,000 in grants to support small projects of between £20,000 and £49,000 to support households in need.
• £3m in innovation funding to help projects looking to develop innovative products or services to help households meet energy costs. This is offering grants of between £20,000 and £1 million.
• £3m carbon emissions reduction fund to help households reduce their carbon emissions. This strand is also offering grants of between £20,000 and £1 million.

Energy Redress Scheme senior project manager Graham Ayling added: “With energy prices remaining high, we encourage community and charity groups that work with struggling or vulnerable people in their areas to apply for funding.

“We’ve seen the positive work that such local groups do in helping those most in need, with projects ranging from energy advice supporting vulnerable people, to research aimed at making sure the needs of elderly and disabled people are met by new energy technologies.

“This funding will also aid projects which address the climate emergency, helping to deliver net zero in ways that leave no one behind and help everyone to share in the benefits”.

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