Grant schemes available for renewable energy

Two grant funding schemes are now available in the West Midlands for installing renewable energy technologies for both Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and larger projects, of which farms are eligible. One is located in the Rural Regeneration Zone (RRZ) which covers SMEs in Herefordshire, Shropshire and parts of Worcestershire. The other, the Rural Enterprise Grant is aimed at larger projects in the whole West Midland region.

The RE: think Energy Scheme, applicable to the RRZ gives grants funded by Advantage West Midlands offering up to 50% grant for capital items for generating energy from biomass, wind, solar, CHP, anaerobic digestion and heat pump sources. The maximum grant available here is £35,000 meaning a total maximum project cost of £70,000 in order to receive the maximum grant at 50% funding.

The Rural Enterprise Grant (part of the European RDPE programme), will fund a variety of rural projects including bio-energy, waste recycling and renewable energy installations. This is open to farms and rural businesses in the West Midlands where 40% funding is available up to a maximum grant of £62,500.

Sarah Wells from 7Y Services Ltd based in Leominster, who are registered consultants for the RE: think scheme explained that the demand for knowledge on the funding has been overwhelming.

"We are receiving a huge number of calls from farmers and rural businesses wanting to know what the options on energy systems are and how to go about applying for the funding," she says, adding that applicants may also be eligible for a free initial energy audit to assess their business energy needs and identify the most efficient renewable energy technologies to install.

7Y is happy to discuss ideas for renewable energy and help identify the most suitable technology and grant scheme. The first step would be to undertake a free energy audit if appropriate to your situation.

For further information please call Sarah on 01568 619 113 or email sarah.wells@7y.co.uk

Wed 28th Jan 2009