Three ambitious projects have won nearly £3.5million from the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership to boost the region’s energy security and meet Net Zero targets.
The three schemes were selected from 29 different projects which applied for cash from the LEP’s innovative Marches Energy Fund.
Marches LEP chair Mandy Thorn MBE (pictured) said the successful schemes would make a vital contribution to the region’s energy strategy and play a major role in safeguarding supplies and building clean, green energy for the future.
The successful schemes are:
- The Marches Energy Grant: A new funding pot of £1.575m to help companies use energy more efficiently, driving down waste and cutting carbon emissions. The scheme will be open to businesses across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin and build on the success of the Business Energy Efficiency programme (BEEP).
- Marches Network Monitoring to support Community Decarbonisation: A project delivered by the National Grid and EA Technology to install monitors at 250 substations across the Marches which help make the most efficient use of the energy available and so boost capacity. The project is receiving £654,000.
- Herefordshire Low Carbon Technology Centre: The scheme, to be delivered by Herefordshire, Ludlow and North Shropshire College, will develop industry-leading new training in green skills and has been awarded £1.2million.
Mrs Thorn said the LEP had received a huge amount of interest since announcing the fund earlier this year and was delighted to be able to award the grants.
“These three schemes were selected after a comprehensive assessment process and we are confident they will play a major role in helping deliver key aspects of our energy strategy. The response to our funding call has been tremendous and truly shows the breadth of innovation in green and sustainable technology we have across the Marches.”
LEP chief executive Rachel Laver said the three schemes had beaten stiff competition to be successful.
“These are high-quality strategic schemes which will deliver results for years to come. They will help us to deepen our provision for green skills training across the region, ensure we are making the best use of the energy we already have and help businesses of all sizes reduce their costs and carbon emissions by being as energy efficient as possible.”
Details of how to apply for the Marches Energy Grant – which will be delivered in a partnership with Worcestershire County Council – will be announced later this month. It will offer free advice and grants for energy efficiency and renewable energy measures for SMEs (small and medium enterprises) from all sectors.
