A total of £5 million is available in grants to charities and community energy groups across England, Scotland and Wales to develop renewable energy projects that benefit those most in need.

The fund, piloted under the scheme’s Carbon Emissions Reductions priority, aims to build the capacity of the community energy sector and deliver impactful renewable energy projects. It seeks to demonstrate how a just transition to net zero can benefit everyone.

Graham Ayling, senior project manager at Energy Saving Trust, said: “We’re pleased to announce this new fund, which will enable greater community ownership and social benefit from the historic growth in renewable energy over the next few years as the UK transitions to net zero.”

Fiona Parker, interim director of market oversight and enforcement at Ofgem, said: “When suppliers let their customers down, we step in quickly to take action, often resulting in significant payments. Since 2018, more than £230m has been paid into the Voluntary Redress Scheme due to our compliance and enforcement work.

“These funds help charities and community groups support vulnerable people with their energy bills and back the development of innovative products and services, fast tracking our journey to net zero.

“This latest round of funding is another brilliant opportunity to help vulnerable consumers and invest millions of pounds into community renewable energy projects, so I encourage organisations to apply.”

The Just Transition Fund will award grants between £20,000 and £250,000 to individual projects. The deadline for applications to the first round of the Just Transition Fund is 5pm on 19 November 2024. To access the online application, organisations must first register with the scheme via the Energy Redress website. This should be done at least ten working days before the fund closes to allow time for eligibility checks and to complete the form if registration is successful.