Around £5.2 million in grants is being distributed to 20 organisations across England, Scotland and Wales through one of four funding streams, in the seventh round of the scheme.

Argyll, Lomond and the Islands Energy Agency (ALIenergy) will receive £324,000 for its Highland Energy Advice Service. The project aims to advise 4,000 households on raising awareness, increasing resilience and reducing fuel poverty.

Dr Lynda Mitchell, CEO at ALIenergy, said: “The Highland area of Scotland suffers from some of the highest levels of fuel poverty in the whole of the UK. This funding will help us support people with inadequate or unaffordable heating, improving comfort, health and resilience to fuel poverty across the Highland area.”

Also receiving funding is Llanelli-based, Menter Cwm Gwendraeth Elli. This project will work closely with agencies to deliver high quality energy advice to residents in Carmarthenshire struggling with their energy bills.

Citizens Advice Stockport, Oldham, Rochdale & Trafford has been awarded funding to develop their EnerGenie project, which will use cutting-edge AI technology to revolutionise the way energy advice is delivered.

Since 2018, the Energy Redress Scheme has distributed a total of £123m in funding to support 603 projects in England, Scotland and Wales. The funding is collected through Ofgem’s enforcement and compliance activity, where companies that have breached energy rules agree to make a voluntary payment into the Energy Redress Scheme.

Graham Ayling, senior project manager for the Energy Redress Scheme, said: “We’re pleased to announce £5.2m of new funding to voluntary sector organisations. These funds will support people to save money, energy and keep warm in winter. It will also fund projects that aim to reduce the environmental impact of energy use and help the UK transition to net zero.”

Cathryn Scott, director for enforcement and emerging issues at Ofgem, said: “Protecting customers is central to Ofgem’s mission. When energy companies fall short of the standards we set, it’s right that customers benefit.

“Since the Redress Fund was established, more than £100 million has supported households struggling with energy bills, showcasing the positive impact we can make. This success is due to our diligent compliance and enforcement teams and the dedication of Energy Saving Trust, who ensure the money reaches those in need.”

The Phase 2 round 6 of funding will suport the following projects in Scotland: 

• Charity: The Energy Advisory Service SCIO

Location: The Western Isles

Grant award: £239,207

Project Name: Outer Hebrides Energy Support Hub

The aim of the project is to support vulnerable or fuel poor households in the Western Isles with energy advice. Their in-depth, tailored energy advice service will be carried out by experienced, qualified energy advisors. The support package they offer will help householders reduce their energy bills, provide them with financial support and access to partners, schemes and energy efficiency advice.

• Charity: Milnbank Housing Association Limited

Location: Glasgow

Grant award: £49,910

Project Name: Milnbank Energy Advice Project

The project will offer the communities of Haghill and Dennistoun in the East End of Glasgow access to personalised energy advice and advocacy on an outreach basis across their three community halls. As part of the project, they will develop a series of energy workshops on a wide range of topics, aimed at encouraging behaviour change within their local community.

• Charity: Citizens Advice Edinburgh

Location: Edinburgh

Grant award: £60,024

Project Name: Community Energy Advice

Community Energy Advice will use a three-faceted approach to support clients with energy issues: prevention, early intervention, and education. Advice will be provided via a proactive outreach, using a combination of pop-up advice hubs at community partner locations, home visits, and phone support.

• Charity: Children 1st

Location: Edinburgh

Grant award: £348,903

Project Name: Children 1st - Energy Support for Families

The project aims to deliver high-quality tailored support and advice to families impacted by childhood adversity, trauma and poverty. The project will address root causes of ongoing fuel poverty, increase energy efficiency awareness, as well as help families stay connected and tackle their energy issues.

• Charity: Dumfries & Galloway Citizens Advice Service

Location: Dumfries

Grant award: £169,460

Project Name: D&G Handy Energy Advice Team (HEAT)

The project aims to support vulnerable and hard-to-reach households with their home energy issues in a way that will help to minimise energy-related difficulties, maximise income, and improve overall household comfort and wellbeing. They will do so via an innovative new service delivery model combining the provision of energy advice and energy-saving measures in a single home visit for those experiencing access issues caused by mobility problems, rural location or low income.

Read more about all the funded projects here.