Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, the Distribution Network Operator for central southern England and the north of Scotland, is now welcoming applications to its new Powering Communities to Net Zero fund.
We have a proud tradition of funding projects to support environmental and resilience measures in the communities we serve. The new Powering Communities to Net Zero (PCNZ) fund is a successor to the previous Resilient Communities Fund, which has awarded over £5m to around 700 projects in the past nine years.
The new fund will run annually from now, concluding in Spring 2028. More than £3m in grants will be awarded during this time. This fund will support communities during prolonged power interruptions caused by storms, aid their ability to cope in periods of severe weather, and will now also support the adoption of new low-carbon technologies by non-profit organisations.
The new fund explained.
The fund is split into two categories; community-led physical and environmental resilience, and Low Carbon Technology (LCTs).
The new community-led physical and environmental resilience grants.
Half of the £3m funding will be available over the next four years to enable communities to apply for grants that will bolster physical and environmental resilience measures. Grants of up to £15,000 will be awarded to successful applicants in this category.
The new low-carbon technology grants.
The other half of the funding being made available over the next four years will also be available for non-profit organisations to apply for grants to go towards the purchase of new Low-Carbon Technology.
For example, a successful grant application could result in a social housing scheme or community centre being awarded funding to contribute to the cost of EV chargers, solar panels, battery storage or backup, low carbon heating systems, smart heating controls, or other general energy efficiency measures. Grants of up to £20,000 will be awarded to successful applicants in this category.
We're aware there are often lengthy lead times associated with community project preparations, as well as getting approval to connect some low carbon technologies.
In light of this, we advise applicants to consider projects that have already been approved to apply in the current round, as the timescales for awarding and spending funds may be more likely to align. If you're uncertain of your timescales, you can contact colin.mcmillan@sse.com to discuss this in more detail.
SSEN Distribution’s Managing Director Chris Burchell says:
“At SSEN, our purpose is to power our communities to thrive today and help create a net zero tomorrow. Being true to that purpose underlines the importance of our efforts to engage our communities, to understand local needs and to support our customers, particularly in areas of resilience and environment.
“That’s why we are so pleased to announce our new Powering Communities to Net Zero (PCNZ) fund, which has been developed to help improve resilience and the environment for the communities we serve and which will enhance the offering and awards we previously made through the Resilient Communities Fund.
“The Resilient Communities Fund has been helping hundreds of communities and vulnerable community members since it started in 2015, and we’re looking forward to the new fund building on that legacy; bringing greater resilience, sustainability and a path to net zero for all of our customers living and working in the north of Scotland and central southern England.”
How to apply for Powering Communities to Net Zero funding.
Applications are now open for the 2024/25 fund.
The application form and more details can be found at www.ssen.co.uk/pcnz
To be eligible for funding, your project must benefit communities that lie wholly within Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks’ (SSEN) licence areas.
If you are unsure who your distribution network operator is, please check here: www.ssen.co.uk/about-ssen/who-is-my-distributor/
You don’t need to be a registered charity to apply, but your organisation must have a constitution (governing document or set of rules) and be set up on a not-for-profit basis. If you're unsure if your group is eligible, contact us for advice.
SSEN’s community funding in action.
Over the past few years, hundreds of communities have received help from our funding.
Earlier this year, members of Whitchurch-on-Thames Parish Council were able to provide First Aid training for 16 residents after their grant request was successful.
In Hampshire, funding went towards the purchase of a new vehicle, which will help the local search and rescue team do more of their life-saving work across Hampshire and its neighbouring counties.
In Angus, the residents in the community of Eassie and Nevay successfully applied for funding to ensure their village hall can operate as a community hub during periods of adverse weather. The grant paid for radios, medical equipment, and temporary beds among other items.
Meanwhile a community group in Strathisla in Moray used their successful application to the fund to put together big boxes full of equipment like wind-up torches, battery packs and foil blankets, for use during bad weather and power outages.
Other support SSEN provides.
In addition to the benefits these funds will provide for communities across our licence areas, we provide tailored support for customers who need it most through its Priority Services Register. Being signed up to the register can give access to additional, tailored support during a power cut, when people need it the most. All these services are provided free of charge.