WRAP: Rural Community Energy Fund

The Rural Community Energy Fund (RCEF) supports rural communities in England to develop renewable energy projects which provide economic and social benefits to the community.

The RCEF is available to rural communities in England that:

• represent a rural community of:
  • fewer than 10,000 residents; or
  • more than 10,000 residents but within a local authority area which is classified by the Office of National Statistics as ‘predominantly rural’
• form a legal entity in order to receive public funds
• demonstrate the support of the wider community

and are planning a renewable energy project which:

• „„will provide a legacy for the future benefit of the community
• „„use a proven renewable technology

The fund provides up to £150,000 of funding for feasibility and pre-planning development work to help projects become investment ready. The RCEF provides support in two stages:

• Stage 1 provides a grant of up to approximately £20,000 to pay for an initial investigation into the feasibility of a renewable energy project
• Stage 2 provides an unsecured loan of up to approximately £130,000 to support planning applications and develop a robust business case to attract further investment

This is a continuous rolling programme.

For more information and how to apply please click here.